Dr Victor Ikem, the keynote speaker at the 2025 Guild of Photojournalists event, has urged photographers and media practitioners to adopt artificial intelligence as a supportive tool rather than a substitute for human creativity.

Speaking at the gathering, Dr Ikem stressed that the rise of synthetic images and algorithm-driven visuals must not erode the essence of authentic photography.

Dr Ikem noted that while AI now influences every stage of image creation and media consumption, its value lies in enhancing craft, improving workflow, and expanding creative possibilities. He warned that treating AI as a replacement for photographers would undermine the emotional depth, intuition, and human perspective that define true visual storytelling.

He also highlighted the broader implications of AI on global media platforms. Getty Images, he said, continues to reject AI-generated images, while YouTube maintains strict rules against posting content that is not original or created by the uploader. These policies, in his view, signal a welcome industry-wide pushback against synthetic manipulation and a renewed defence of authenticity.

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Dr Ikem linked these developments to a growing problem online: social media feeds saturated with “news that is not news.” He explained that AI-generated imagery and misleading content often circulate as fact, distorting public understanding and weakening the role of credible journalism. Such trends, he argued, call for stronger ethical standards and more responsible communication practices.

Dr Ikem, who noted his extensive research in AI and robot journalism, deep fakes, technology adoption in developing countries, and communication ethics in the digital age, also examines how media influences governance and national social investment programmes, making him a leading voice in conversations on media integrity and public policy.

The theme for 2025, “Where Lies Authentic Photography in the Age of AI?”, focused on how synthetic images and automated media workflows challenge truth, credibility, and journalistic responsibility. According to Dr Ikem, the industry must now rethink what constitutes authenticity, given that algorithms can fabricate visuals indistinguishable from reality.