Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, has cautioned African countries against relying on foreign developed artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Delivering the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) lecture series, titled, ‘Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanities,’ Professor Oloyede said that, “rather, African nations should invest in building their own AI capabilities, so they are not entirely dependent on external powers.
“By being part of AI’s global development, they can ensure that they are not exploited or left out of future.”
Oloyede also advocated adoption of Hausa sign language as the second national official language in Nigeria.
The former vice chancellor of the University of Ilorin, cautioned those in the academic world, who do not have adequate knowledge about their subjects, against adopting AI in the quest to seek solutions about their subjects so as not to be misled.
Oloyede, who said that AI has come to stay, however, maintained that, “humanity should be in control of AI, if we will save humanities from perdition.”
“African nations need to invest in building their own AI capabilities, so they are not entirely dependent on external powers. By being part of AI’s global development, they can ensure that they are not exploited or left out of the future.
“African Telecommunication unions (ATU), African Union (AU), Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Smart Africa must lead in the charge in developing AI strategies tailored to meet the continent’s specific needs. These bodies should promote policies that encourage the ethical development and use of AI across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance.
“Collaboration between African countries on AI research and data sharing can help mitigate the risk of relying on foreign developed A I technologies”, he said.
The professor of Islamic Studies tasked scholars in the discipline to take up the challenge of generating content for AI to ensure that its contents conforms with fundamental human rights, values, and Islamic doctrines and principles.
“In fields like Islamic Studies and Law, AI must be developed with sensitivity to ethical and cultural contexts. Universities and scholars should explore how AI can assist in complex tasks like issuing fatwas or navigating legal ethics, while ensuring that AI aligns with fundamental human rights values”, he said.
