Ex-Nigeria’s Envoy to UN seeks regulation of AI
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
Former Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Prof. Tijjani Mohammed Bande, has called for the regulation of Artificial Intelligence, to curve its negative use.
Our Correspondent in Sokoto reports that the envoy, who is also the incumbent District Head of Besse in Kebbi State, gave the advice on Monday in Sokoto at the opening of a five-day maiden Mass Communications International Conference.
The conference with the theme ‘Media and National Development in the Era of Artificial Intelligence’, was organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto.
“The whole notion of how you see the world is shaped by technology. Technology is key to national development,” Prof. Bande, also the former President, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), said.
He expressed delight that the conference was addressing such a problem, noting that using AI tools “the media can be manipulated to say things falsely.”
He, however, said that ethics,truth and wisdom are very crucial to the media, applauding the university for convening the conference as well as getting international resource persons.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Bashir Garba, maintained that AI is no longer a subject confined to Science fiction novels or imagination of the scientists.
He said, “it is here, in our newsrooms, on our smartphones, in algorithms that decide what news we see and, increasingly, in what we believe.
“AI is reshaping media, our ethics,and could permeate virtually every aspect of human endeavours.”
Also speaking, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Riskuwa Arabu Shehu, said, communication is crucial to everything we do, as such “wrong communication can destroy while the right communication can build stronger relationships”
“While commending this initiative by the university, I must call for its sustenance to make it a yearly event.”
The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the District Head of Gwadabawa, Alhaji Lawal Zayyana, admonished media proacitiners to always fear Almighty God in their reportage.
“They should also be ethical and positive in everything they do. The conference is a welcome initiative by the University.”
The Keynote Speaker, Prof. Kehbuma Langmia, Chair in the Department of Communication Studies, School of Communication, Howard University, USA, underscored the importance of AI in the current media industry.
According to the don, information must be used to “kill ignorance”, noting, ” we are now suffering from the algorithm of dependence.
“We must therefore urgently move to the algorithm of inclusivity. AI is a third partner and not a third leader.”
Prof. Langmia while calling for all to embrace AI, he said students of Mass Communications must take studies in Computer Science.
He advocated the development of AI Apps “on Africa and for Africa”, and also supported the regulation of data centres globally.
“We need to regulate data centres in Nigeria, Africa and the world,” he said.
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