The 26th edition of the NECCI PR Roundtable will bring together stakeholders from government, business, technology, media, academia and the public relations industry to examine the growing influence of artificial intelligence and algorithms on public communication, information integrity and democratic discourse in Nigeria.
The annual event, founded and convened by Nkechi Ali-Balogun, is scheduled to take place on Friday, 30 October 2026, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 10am.
The 2026 edition will focus on the theme, “Algorithmic Influence and Public Relations: AI, Information Integrity and the Ethics of Democratic Discourse in Nigeria”.
The organisers said the theme reflects the rapid development of artificial intelligence and algorithmic systems, which are changing how information is created, distributed, consumed and amplified.
The Roundtable will examine the implications of these developments for public relations, journalism, governance, business and democratic participation, with discussions expected to cover misinformation, disinformation, algorithmic bias, digital manipulation and the ethical use of AI.
Ali-Balogun, founder and convener of the Roundtable, said the increasing influence of AI on public discourse had made discussions about information integrity and responsible communication increasingly important.
“We live in a rapidly changing world powered by AI, where a single algorithm can shape political narratives, fuel conspiracy theories, and dictate what millions read, believe and share, well before journalists or PR professionals can intervene,” she said.
She said AI was no longer simply a future concept but was already influencing public conversations, campaigns and discourse through the curation of content, the spread of disinformation and the creation of online echo chambers.
The PR practitioner also highlighted the growing use of deepfakes and synthetic media, as well as the speed at which misinformation can spread across digital platforms.
“The tools have changed. The speed has changed. The stakes have changed. And so must we,” she said.
Ali-Balogun said Nigeria would serve as a case study for examining how the challenges associated with AI and algorithm-driven communication were unfolding in an emerging democracy and financial ecosystem where digital access was expanding while public trust faced increasing pressure.
She said the Roundtable would provide stakeholders with an opportunity to explore practical ways of managing the opportunities and risks associated with AI while maintaining professional ethics, accountability and credibility.
The discussions will also examine the responsibilities of governments, businesses, technology companies, media organisations, public relations practitioners and citizens in protecting information integrity in an increasingly digital society.
Participants are expected to consider strategies for helping organisations and communication professionals build resilient reputations and communicate responsibly in an information environment increasingly shaped by algorithms.
The NECCI PR Roundtable has, over the past 25 years, provided a platform for policymakers, business leaders, media professionals, academics and communication practitioners to discuss issues affecting Nigeria and the wider global communications landscape.
The organisers said this year’s edition would place AI, information integrity and the ethics of democratic discourse at the centre of discussions on the future of the communications industry and the preservation of public trust in a democracy.
