The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has said that the National Assembly was planning legislation that would regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) to curb identity theft, among others.
He said this at the 7th Convocation Ceremony organised by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies in collaboration with the University of Benin, held in Abuja.
He stressed the need for Nigeria to have a regulatory framework in place for emerging technologies.
He also noted that although new technologies such as AI and robotics have immense benefits, there is a need to check their misuse and abuse.
The speaker further stressed that AI can create many benefits, such as better healthcare, safer and cleaner transport, more efficient manufacturing, and cheaper and more sustainable energy.
He stressed that integrating AI into education would present a transformative shift in how teaching and learning are conducted.
Abbas added that AI has the potential to customise learning, enhance educational tools, and improve administrative systems, offering several benefits and also posing unique challenges.
His words: “Datasets and algorithms can reflect or reinforce gender, racial, or ideological biases. More critically, AI can deepen inequalities by automating routine tasks and displacing jobs.
“There is also likely to be a rise in identity theft and fraud, as evidenced by the use of AI to create highly realistic deep fakes.
“These are intended to misinform, trick and confuse people. Attackers use these maliciously crafted videos, photos and audio to create societal unrest, carry out fraud and damage the reputations of individuals and brands.
Accordingly, and in recognition of the opportunities and threats posed by AI, the 10th House of Representatives will engage stakeholders and experts on this and related issues.”
“We shall leverage their potential and address issues of privacy, accountability, ethics, security and intellectual property. We will also work with the executive to ensure the integration of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and renewable energy into the school curriculum.
“Therefore, in the coming weeks, I will introduce a bill to regulate Artificial Intelligence (AI) and ensure better conditions for the development and use of this innovative technology in Nigeria.
“This will be the first such effort in Africa and one of only a few undertaken by parliaments worldwide.”
