Jide Kosoko recalls fears that social media would displace older entertainers

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko has recalled that the emergence of social media initially frightened older practitioners in Nigeria’s entertainment industry, who worried that the technology could drive them out of business. Kosoko made the remarks in an interview with Sunday Scoop, saying many established entertainers questioned whether social media would eventually make their work irrelevant. “When social media came, we were afraid,” he said, explaining that practitioners wondered whether it would “kick us out completely”.

According to the actor, older members of the industry were eventually able to adapt to the new technology, largely with assistance from younger colleagues who were more familiar with computers. He said the entertainment industry ultimately learned to use social media to its advantage. “We eventually used it to our advantage, so we have to thank God for that,” Kosoko said.

However, he said the arrival of artificial intelligence had left him less certain. Reflecting on the technology, Kosoko admitted that he had not yet developed a full understanding of it. “When I started seeing AI, I still don’t understand it till now,” he said.

His comments contrast the industry’s early uncertainty over social media with the continuing questions surrounding artificial intelligence. While Kosoko said older practitioners had successfully adjusted to social media, he indicated that AI remained difficult for him to comprehend.