The Registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has advised African countries against relying on foreign-developed artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
He gave this advice while delivering the University of Ilorin lecture series titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanities.”
Rather, he stated that 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 the future.”
Oloyede also advocated for the adoption of Hausa Sign Language as a second national official language in Nigeria.
The former vice chancellor similarly advised those in academia who do not have adequate knowledge about their subjects to avoid adopting AI in their quest for solutions, so as not to be misled.
Oloyede, who said that AI has come to stay, maintained that “humanity should be in control of AI if we are to save humanity from perdition.” He emphasized that African nations need to invest in building their own AI capabilities so they are not entirely dependent on external powers.
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“By being part of AI’s global development, they can ensure that they are not exploited or left out of the future.”
He urged the African Telecommunications Union (ATU), the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and Smart Africa to lead the charge in developing AI strategies tailored to 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 risks of relying on foreign-developed AI technologies.
Oloyede, a professor of Islamic studies, tasked scholars in the discipline with the challenge of generating content for AI to ensure that its contents conform 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.
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