IT expert cautions, counsels FG over use of AI

Victor Haruna-Francis, an Information Technology expert, has urged the government to adopt an Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance framework to mitigate risks, protect human right and privacy.

The UK-based Artificial Intelligence Governance Advocate told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview on Tuesday.

He said adopting the framework would allow the government to address governance issues.

According to him, artificial intelligence and data have become driving forces for economic growth and development.

Haruna-Francis explained that with the use of data and AI becoming an integral part of economies across the globe, the need for governance and regulation compliance became more important to actualise economic growth and national security.

“Despite AI’s contribution to national and global economies, its proliferation and the availability of data everywhere raise some concerns about the ethical and responsible use of AI.

“AI governance has to do with setting guidelines, standards and regulations to checkmate the use and deployment of artificial intelligence systems.

“Although, AI technologies bring about national security and potential economic growth, they also pose a huge threat with risks that should not be overlooked, hence, the need for governance, regulation and enforcement of compliance,” Haruna-Francis said.

He said technological advancement should not be deployed to the extent that human values and fundamental rights are at risk.

Haruna-Francis said this called for prioritising responsible use, transparency, accountability and fairness in AI deployment and use.

According to him, it is expected that by 2030, individuals, businesses and governments in Africa will have been digitally enabled according to the Digital Economy for Africa initiative of the World Bank.

“A few African nations have made attempts at developing National AI strategies, but where is the place of governance to boost economic development and guarantee national security?

“To mitigate these risks and be proactive towards addressing the governance issue, developed nations are enacting AI governance frameworks beyond just strategies, to enhance national security, human rights and privacy,”he said.

“The economies of data and artificial intelligence are very vast and could be complex as they encompass diverse sectors, use cases, and applications.

“The impacts of AI and intelligent use of data across diverse sectors are currently changing how decisions are made through intelligent and automated decision-making processes, ” he said.

Speaking on more advantages, the IT expert said the economies of AI and data provide huge opportunities for economic growth.

Haruna-Francis stressed that like the U.S, EU and more recently Singapore, Africa and the rest of the world needed to develop robust governance framework.

(NAN)