Experts have advocated responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to simplify elections and governance in Nigeria as part of positive use of technology to advance democracy.
This contained in a communique issued after the 5th Kano Social Influencers Summit (KANSIS24) hosted by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) from September 18th to 19th, 2024, in Kano.
The summit, themed “Artificial Intelligence in Election and Governance: Between the Potentials for Enhancement of Processes and the Perils of Digital Surveillance and Misrepresentation,” attracted over 1,000 participants, including international representatives from Germany, Uganda, Niger Republic, and Kenya.
The summit’s guest of honour, Engineer Abba Kabiru Yusuf, Governor of Kano State, represented by Alhaji Usman Bala, Special Adviser to the Governor on State Affairs, emphasized the event’s relevance in fostering discussions on AI’s growing role in governance and elections.
In his opening address, CITAD Executive Director, Engineer Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, explained the summit’s focus on sharing experiences and innovative technologies that can enhance Nigerian democracy.
Ya’u added that AI, while offering tremendous potential, carries risks of bias and misrepresentation due to incomplete datasets and selective algorithms.
Key presenters at the event included Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner of the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim from the Centre for Democracy and Development, and representatives from national and international organizations such as the MacArthur Foundation, Search for Common Ground, and religious and traditional leaders.
Discussions during the two-day summit revolved around AI’s potential to streamline elections, improve governance, and foster public engagement, but also raised concerns about the misuse of AI for surveillance, disinformation, and privacy violations.
Summit participants emphasized the need for a national framework to regulate AI deployment in Nigeria, particularly in elections and governance. They called on the government to invest in digital infrastructure, address AI’s ethical concerns, and ensure that vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, are not left behind in the AI-driven future.
The participants recommend that Nigeria must develop an inclusive AI national policy framework, invest in ICT infrastructure to help scale up responsible AI use and the government should address the gender gap in AI technology and enhance inclusion for people with disabilities.
They also suggest that religious and traditional leaders have a role to play in promoting the ethical use of AI in their communities.
The summit concluded with a call for further debate on AI governance in Nigeria to ensure that the technology benefits all citizens.
