This study examines the perceptions Enugu State-based journalists on the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven contemporary media practice. Particular attention is paid on the extent its adoption seeks to reflect on the perceived benefits, challenges, and implications for the professional journalism practice. The increasing integration of AI technologies in news production, content distribution, audience analytics, fact-checking, and multimedia storytelling continues to reshape media operation dynamics globally. However, concerns regarding ethical standards, job displacement, misinformation, credibility, and professional autonomy leave a gap in the study of developing media landscapes such as Nigeria.

Framed on the Theory of Mind (ToM) and the Digital Metamorphosis Theory (DMT), the study adopted a survey research design to investigate the attitudes and perceptions of journalists working in selected broadcast and print media organisations in Enugu State. Data were obtained from 201 practicing journalists in Enugu through structured questionnaire, while descriptive and inferential statistical tools were employed for data analysis.

Findings include that a large number of journalists operating in the state have in-depth knowledge of artificial intelligence, and its adoption in he media newsroom. By this level of awareness, the technology is not novel to them. It was also found that established the relevance of AI in the contemporary journalism practice, however will not able to obviate the human efforts in news gathering and presentation. Rather it would complement human efforts at actualizing newsroom demands. It further allays the fear inherent in the technology killing journalism practice by taking over the journalistic jobs thereby making the profession societal irrelevant.

The study concludes that the adoption of artificial intelligence in the journalism profession in Nigeria, and particularly Enugu State will sped up the transformation of journalism practice.  It holds that the technology will recreate the practice, increase audience satisfaction of media content by facilitation media content creation, particularly with human-driven quest for industrial advancement.

The study recommends that every council of the NUJ should prioritize artificial intelligence skill acquisition as a means of helping their members upscale their knowledge in their chosen area of profession. It also recommends that media owners should encourage their news men to seek avenues to acquire AI knowledge to help them remain effectively relevant for enhanced industrial performance. It further suggests increased budgeting by media organisations to aid reporters navigate through the traditional newsgathering approach to automated reporting, however propelled by the use of AI.

Key words:     Artificial Intelligence, Journalism, Newsroom, Technological shift, Human Intelligence