Don recommends implementation of AI regulation

Chinasa Okolo, a fellow at the Centre for Technology Innovation, Governance Studies, Brookings Institution, has emphasized the urgent necessity for Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance as global development of the technology accelerates, with concerns surrounding its usage becoming increasingly prominent.

Okolo made the call in a publication by the African Growth Initiative at Brookings titled “Foresight Africa: Top Priorities for the Continent in 2024.”

According to her, only seven African nations (Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia) had drafted national AI strategies, and none had started a formal implementation of AI regulation.

She said, “To bolster AI governance initiatives, African nations should consider data governance as a viable pathway toward regulating AI, facilitating its responsible utilisation and development as this transformative technology continues to evolve.

“Data protection regulation, such as the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), has laid a strong foundation for the EU to develop and draft the EU AI Act, which is expected to be fully implemented by 2026.

“However, the advent of large language models and the increasing utilisation of data workers have changed prevalent narratives around the production and use of data.”

Also Read: Nigeria seeks Safer Artificial Intelligence Utilisation

In an interview posted on Okolo’s LinkedIn page over the weekend, Kristalina Georgieva, the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, underscored the significance of AI regulation, stating, “Governments must recognize and address this issue seriously… How do you regulate a field that evolves rapidly, striking a balance between mitigating the risks of misinformation and disinformation, while harnessing the productivity benefits?”

Nigeria is currently working on a national strategy to harness the power of AI for sustainable development.

Regarding the initiative, Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, expressed, “Through collaborative leadership, Nigeria aims to lead the way in ethical and inclusive AI innovation, enhancing welfare and creating opportunities for all its citizens.”

Punch/Chidimma Gold