African School of Economics VC Urges Ethical AI Use

The Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has urged Africans in general, and Nigerians in particular, to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) while emphasising that it must be used ethically.

Prof. Adedimeji made this submission in his address, “The Past is Present, The Present is Now”, delivered at the maiden Public Lecture of the university on Thursday, 30 January 2025.

The theme of the lecture, delivered by the Managing Director and CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, an agency of the Federal Government, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, was “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education in Africa”.

The African School of Economics (ASE) successfully hosted its maiden public lecture on “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education in Africa”!
The event brought together esteemed guests to explore AI’s potential in Africa’s education. #AIinEducation #ASE pic.twitter.com/gYBryPFAuW

— African School of Economics (@ASE_Africa) January 31, 2025

According to the two-time Vice-Chancellor, humanity today stands precariously at the edge of a precipice, with fascinating yet disruptive technologies that can both enhance life and be misused to perpetrate atrocities. He described Artificial Intelligence, once the realm of science fiction, as a present-day reality that permeates various facets of life, with extraordinary potential in education. He added that AI is part of the past that remains present, a revolutionary innovation shaping the future, which is already here.

“With AI, it is possible for each student to receive personalised instruction. We can also analyse vast amounts of data and gain insights into how each student learns best, meaning that a one-size-fits-all model of education may no longer be applicable or sustainable. AI opens new doors to customised learning experiences that nurture each student’s potential. With instructional tools, education can be more dynamic, engaging, and interactive, sparking curiosity, igniting creative thinking, and fostering a love for lifelong learning,” he said.

Prof. Adedimeji also highlighted AI’s indispensable role in enhancing access to education.

“We know that AI can facilitate global access to quality education, which is the fourth Sustainable Development Goal. It can bring world-class resources to remote and underserved areas, thereby breaking down geographical barriers and democratising access to knowledge. Students anywhere can have access to the same cutting-edge materials and expert instruction available elsewhere, levelling the playing field like never before. The opportunities are limitless,” he stressed.

Nevertheless, he cautioned against the misuse of AI, arguing that while Africans embark on this transformative AI journey, there is a need for protocols, policies, and frameworks to safeguard fundamental values from erosion.

Also Read: Nigeria Moves to Ensure Responsible AI Use – Deputy Speaker Kalu

“We must ensure that technology never becomes our master, controlling and misleading us. The tail should not wag the dog—humans must always be in charge, and we must not allow technology to dictate our actions,” he warned.

To illustrate the need for ethical AI use, he referenced the 2004 American film I, Robot, starring Will Smith. He explained that the film futuristically depicts a world where intelligent robots fill public service roles, while a technophobic detective investigates a crime allegedly committed by a robot—ultimately portraying a conflict between artificial intelligence and its human creators.

“The film presents a scenario where intelligent robots become a threat to the very humans who created them, culminating in a deadly clash between humans and machines,” he noted.

Prof. Adedimeji also used the occasion to invite prospective students to the university, which he described as a conventional institution offering 20 undergraduate programmes in Arts, Social Sciences, Science and Computing, as well as Allied Health Sciences. He added that the university also offers approved postgraduate programmes in Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, and Management.