THERE is no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) is the centre stage of the present world and its dynamism can be seen in all spheres, including healthcare, transportation, business and many more. Nigeria has these technologies and it is easy to imagine that AI technologies will improve the quality of life and, most importantly, help increase productivity and efficiency. But as with every powerful weapon/tool, which AI is, there is a danger involved; hence, the question of whether AI will be a friend or a foe is quite crucial for our country. Nigerians should take a holistic view of AI that strikes a balance between the potential benefits it offers and the risks accompanying its adoption and its deployment. The possibilities for the utilization of AI in transforming Nigeria are enormous. Look at the healthcare business, for instance. Some artificial intelligence systems are already performing the work of reading and interpreting medical images better than human physicians, which is of great importance in the early stages of diseases such as cancer. As regards AI, in a country where healthcare is always under a covered strain, early AI-enabled diagnosis can prevent many ill-fated casualties. AI is also important in the field of developing new drugs and thus introduces significant advantages against those diseases many Nigerians have suffered for a long.
In the business sector, AI is revolutionizing customer relations. The use of AI chatbots and assistants has empowered companies to resolve customer issues, conduct transactions, and recommend products, thereby relieving the burden on human agents. This shift allows human employees to focus on more complex tasks, enhancing productivity and customer satisfaction. The 24-hour availability of AI ensures that customer needs are met at all times, further enhancing the customer experience. The potential of AI in the transport industry, particularly in the development of autonomous vehicles, is promising. These advancements are expected to reduce road accidents, emissions, and improve mobility for the physically challenged. In the realm of logistics, AI can enhance product delivery and supply chain efficiency, reducing costs and delivery times for businesses and consumers. With such benefits credited to AI, excitement is accompanied by major problems. One of the burning issues is adapting Nigeria’s society and economy to the rapid changes brought about by this technology. The threat that workers face of being made redundant because of the ability of AI systems to take off the duties they once performed, creates a sense of insecurity. However, it’s important to note that AI also has the potential to create new job opportunities in fields such as AI development, data analysis, and system maintenance. Given the fact that unemployment rates are already high in Nigeria, this potential for job creation could help balance the negative impact on the job market.
Another widely emphasized issue, apart from job destruction, is the AI system’s biases. AI tools work to learn and make decisions from massive amounts of data. If the datasets are biased, then it follows that the AI systems that work with those datasets also turn out biased. AI bias is an essential concern in areas like employment, where AI applications might cause discrimination in the hiring process, and in the justice system, where AI bias might lead to targeting specific demographics, aggravating equity problems.
One more issue corresponds to the aggravation of so-called accountability. If an artificial intelligence system brings damage or physically injures someone, who can be punished? Is it the ones who designed the program, the ones who executed it in the real world, or the artificial intelligence? In addressing this issue, the legal system in Nigeria, with the guidance of policymakers, would have to face strategies of accountability and liability which are somewhat complex due to the availability of AI since it appears as a new form that existing laws cannot respond to. For the benefits of AI technologies to be reaped fully without adverse effects, it has been recommended that Nigeria practice ethical and accountable use of AI systems. AI must be ethical, fair, and accountable rather than causing overreliance on rules and regulations at the expense of the overall welfare of Nigerian citizens. This also includes preventing AI from being abused to discriminate against people in vulnerable sectors, such as healthcare or the police.
There is also the requirement of a structural context to allow safe and just use of AI at the workplace. This could include measures to prevent job losses, re-training opportunities for employees who may lose their jobs to AI, and ensuring that AI does not promote bias. However, it’s not just about preventing job losses, it’s also about continuous learning and adaptation to AI. This has the potential of making sure, in Nigeria, AI is used as a tool which helps rather than further marginalizes the already disadvantaged communities. Finally, it can be said that it all comes down to how Nigeria wants to harness AI: as a benefactor or an aggressor. Attention to the possible ethical and social concerns related to AI and using it for the common good can enable us to use AI for societal betterment. Failure to address these concerns would lead to a situation where AI will enhance inequalities within societies. The decision is entirely up to us; now, time is the most critical factor.
- Oyindamola writes from London, United Kingdom
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