Nigerians must embrace AI with ethics, says ASE VC

T The Vice-Chancellor of the African School of Economics (ASE), Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has urged Nigerians and Africans at large to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) while ensuring its ethical application.

Speaking at the maiden Public Lecture of the university on January 30, 2025, he highlighted AI’s transformative potential in education while warning against its misuse.

Delivering his address titled “The Past is Present, The Present is Now,” Prof. Adedimeji stated that humanity stands at a technological crossroads, where AI can either revolutionize education or be abused to perpetrate atrocities.

“With AI, each student can receive personalized instruction. The one-size-fits-all model of education is no longer sustainable. AI opens doors to customized learning experiences, sparking curiosity, igniting creative thinking, and fostering a love for lifelong learning,” he stated.

He further emphasized AI role in democratizing access to education, breaking geographical barriers, and bridging inequality in learning opportunities. “AI can facilitate global access to quality education and bring world-class resources to remote and underserved areas. Students anywhere can now access the same cutting-edge materials as those in elite institutions,” he added.

However, Prof. Adedimeji cautioned against AI unregulated expansion, stressing that Africa must establish protocols, policies, and frameworks to safeguard traditional values and prevent technology from overpowering human control.

“We should not let technology become our master. The tail should not wag the dog. Humans must remain in charge, ensuring that AI serves us rather than controls us,” he warned.

To illustrate AI potential dangers, he referenced the 2004 sci-fi movie “I, Robot”, starring Will Smith, which depicts a future where intelligent robots threaten human survival. “The film portrays the unintended consequences of AI expansion, where a crime possibly committed by a robot sparks a battle between humans and machines,” he noted.

The VC also used the occasion to invite students to apply for ASE undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Arts, Social Sciences, Computing, and Allied Health Sciences.

Also speaking at the event, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, a cybersecurity expert and Managing Director of Galaxy Backbone Limited, urged African leaders to revolutionize education through AI integration. Delivering the keynote lecture on “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education in Africa,” he highlighted Africa’s educational shortcomings, including low teacher effectiveness and high out-of-school rates, which hinder development.

“AI can revolutionize African education through language learning, chatbots, and virtual classrooms. It can provide tailored learning experiences and improve access to quality education in remote areas,” he said.

Prof. Adeyanju proposed several solutions to AI-related challenges, including developing culturally grounded ethical AI frameworks, providing comprehensive AI training for educators, addressing digital infrastructure deficits, and fostering indigenous AI solutions tailored to Africa’s needs. Earlier in his address, Prof. Adedimeji decried the tendency of many individuals to outsource their intelligence to AI without ethical considerations.

“AI is like water and fire—essential when controlled but dangerous when unchecked. Africa must set guidelines to prevent overdependence,” he stressed.

The event reinforced the urgent need for Nigeria and Africa to adopt AI in education responsibly, ensuring it serves as a tool for progress rather than a threat to human intelligence.