Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ben Kalu, says the Nigerian government wants the “ethical and responsible” use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to protect democracy.
Kalu spoke on Monday at the 149th General Debate of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Levinus Nwabughiogu.
The IPU is a forum for parliamentarians, where legislators debate global issues.
The vice president, who spoke on the topic: “Harnessing science, technology and innovation (STI) for a more peaceful and sustainable future,” highlighted the fundamental role of AI in development, but warned about the dangers of its “ irresponsible use.”
Speaking on Nigeria's plans for AI, Kalu said the federal government is moving towards adopting a national artificial intelligence (AI) policy framework, adding that the country is committed to ensuring the responsible use of AI.
He further noted that the Nigerian government is implementing both executive and legislative tools to harness the potential of Artificial Intelligence.
“Our legislative and executive actions clearly reflect Nigeria’s commitment to harnessing STI. In 2022, Nigeria's parliament passed the Nigerian Startup Act, a landmark law aimed at creating an enabling environment for technology and innovation startups.
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“Nigeria is now working to adopt a national artificial intelligence (AI) policy framework. Led by our Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, this policy will pave the way for the ethical use of AI to address key challenges, from automating agricultural processes to improving healthcare delivery.
“We envision a future where AI optimizes wage employment rather than undermining it, ensuring that automation leads to job creation rather than job destruction,” Kalu said.
The vice president stressed that the Nigerian government is concerned about issues such as “data protection, disinformation and job displacement.”
He further noted that electoral integrity is a major concern not only for Nigeria but globally, and that the international community must collaborate to address these concerns.
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“The integrity of universal electoral processes is a global imperative, and recent advances in Artificial Intelligence pose threats, especially in the spread of disinformation and cyber vulnerabilities in electoral systems,” Kalu said.
“We call for the responsible use of AI to safeguard the integrity of democratic processes, particularly against threats such as deepfakes and the spread of disinformation,” he added.