Framing the future: media narratives on artificial intelligence and its societal impact

This study examines the framing of artificial intelligence (AI) in news, focusing on how narratives shape public perception and discourse around its societal impact. As AI continues to revolutionise industries and redefine human interactions, media representations play a crucial role in shaping opinions, expectations, and policy making. An Automated Content Analysis (ACA) of four news media were analysed. Two newspapers (The Punch and The Vanguard) and two online tech magazines (TechPoint) and (TechCabal) were selected for the study. The Time-Frequency-Inverse Document Frequency (TF-IDF) was used to generate keywords into clusters. Each cluster represents the frames employed in the reportage of AI-related stories in the selected media. The frames are “AI and its Economic Impact” “Data Initiatives in Africa”, “AI and Nigeria’s Development”, “AI and the Workspace”, “AI technology in Education”, “Imaging Innovations with AI”, “Focus on Data Science”, “AI-driven marketing interactions”, and “AI in African Healthcare”, “Investment in AI Technology.” Findings reveal a dichotomy in framing, with AI often portrayed as both a revolutionary tool for advancement and a potential threat to societal stability. The study underscores the need for balanced media reportage to inform public understanding and foster nuanced debates on AI’s role in society.