In this piece, Adeyinka Adeniran looks at the ethical and societal impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and what opportunities are available to NCC
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform various sectors of the economy, concerns about its impact on society have grown. In Nigeria, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) plays a vital role in regulating the deployment of AI systems. To create a safe and enabling environment for AI deployment, the NCC must balance innovation and regulation.
The Impact of AI on Society
The deployment of AI systems has the potential to transform various sectors, including healthcare, finance, education, and transportation. However, it also raises significant ethical, social, and legal concerns. One of the major challenges is the lack of transparency and accountability in AI decision-making processes. AI systems are often designed to make decisions autonomously, without human intervention, which can lead to accountability and transparency issues. Moreover, AI systems can also perpetuate biases and prejudices if they are trained on biased data, which can lead to unfair outcomes.
The Role of NCC in Regulating AI Deployment
The NCC has a critical role to play in regulating the deployment of AI systems in Nigeria. To create a safe and enabling environment for AI deployment, the NCC can take several steps.
Licensing AI Providers: The NCC can formulate a new class of license for AI providers. This license would ensure that only authorized businesses and service providers offer AI-enabled services to the public. By doing so, the NCC can guarantee that AI systems are designed and deployed in a way that prioritizes security, transparency, and accountability.
Collaboration and Partnerships: The NCC should drive collaboration with relevant stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy, NOTAP, and NITDA, to establish information sharing and boost stakeholder involvement. This would enable the NCC to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in AI and ensure that AI systems are designed and deployed in a way that is consistent with national priorities and values.
International Best Practices: The NCC should study and localize international best practices on AI regulation. The Commission should consistently engage with the ITU on AI standardization efforts for replication at the national level. This would enable the NCC to draw on the expertise and experience of other countries and international organizations to develop effective regulations for AI.
Research and Development: The NCC can collaborate with academia and research institutions to drive constant and intensive research in the field of emerging technologies like AI. This partnership would foster sensitization and educational reform of Nigerian school curriculums to include ICT and digital skills. By investing in research and development, the NCC can ensure that Nigeria stays at the forefront of AI innovation and development.
Regulatory Tools: The NCC can utilize tools like the ITU Regulatory Tracker to identify, monitor, and resolve gaps in existing regulations in the area of emerging technology. This would enable the NCC to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in AI and ensure that regulations are effective and responsive to emerging challenges.
Public-Private Partnerships: The NCC should drive Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) via roundtable discussions with captains of the ICT industry in the field of emerging technologies to encapsulate information sharing and foster inclusive collaboration in policy formulation. This would enable the NCC to leverage the expertise and resources of the private sector to develop effective regulations for AI.
Conclusion
The deployment of AI systems in Nigeria has the potential to transform various sectors of the economy. However, it also raises significant ethical, social, and legal concerns. The NCC has a critical role to play in regulating the deployment of AI systems in Nigeria. By taking a proactive and inclusive approach, the NCC can help to ensure that AI is used for the benefit of society and promotes economic growth and development.
The NCC’s efforts would help to create a regulatory environment that promotes the safe and responsible deployment of AI systems, while minimizing its negative effects. By working together, the NCC and stakeholders can ensure that AI is used to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making, while also promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.
The future of AI in Nigeria is promising, and the NCC’s role in regulating its deployment is critical. By taking a proactive and inclusive approach, the NCC can help to ensure that AI is used for the benefit of society and promotes economic growth and development. With the right regulations in place, Nigeria can harness the potential of AI to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and enhance decision-making, while minimizing its negative effects.
Ultimately, the effective regulation of AI in Nigeria requires a comprehensive and multi-stakeholder approach. The NCC should work closely with other regulatory agencies, academia, and the private sector to develop a framework that takes into account the unique challenges and opportunities presented by AI. By doing so, Nigeria can become a leader in AI innovation and development, while ensuring that the benefits of AI are shared by all.
