The Journal of Impactful Communication (TJIC)

By Ishola N. Ayodele   In the digital age, where images can be conjured, enhanced, or manipulated with a few keystrokes, a single photograph has ignited a firestorm of debate in Nigeria and beyond. On January 4, 2026, the Nigerian Presidency shared a picture on X (formerly Twitter) depicting President Bola Tinubu in a private lunch meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Paris. The image showed the two leaders seated amicably, discussing global affairs and Africa's future. Yet, what should have been a routine diplomatic snapshot quickly spiraled into controversy due to a subtle but unmistakable detail: a "Grok" watermark embedded in the corner, hinting at AI involvement.                                                                                       ...

 By Ishola N. Ayodele As I navigate the closing days of 2025 , I see a digital landscape pulsing with unprecedented energy. Artificial intelligence has not merely entered public relations and communication; it has woven itself into its very fabric , reshaping how narratives are created, analysed, amplified, and consumed. According to the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management , a staggering 91% of organisations worldwide now permit the use of AI in communication practice. Yet a sobering reality that shadows this innovation: only 39.4% of these organisations have implemented any responsible framework for the use of AI . Adoption has raced ahead; governance has limped behind. This imbalance triggered an awakening across professional bodies especially among communication professionals who understand that trust is the currency of our craft . The central question became unavoidable: How do we embrace this powerful technology without eroding credibility, damag...