The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has announced plans to introduce a bill to regulate artificial intelligence in Nigeria. Abbas made the announcement while speaking at the 7th Convocation Ceremony of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies in Abuja.
Abbas stressed the need for Nigeria to have a regulatory framework in place for emerging technologies such as AI, which have the potential to both benefit and harm society.
“While AI can create many benefits, such as better healthcare, safer and cleaner transport, more efficient manufacturing, and cheaper and more sustainable energy, it can also be misused and abused,” Abbas said.
He highlighted the potential for AI to be used to deepen inequality, automate jobs, and facilitate identity theft and fraud.
“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,” Abbas said.
“We shall leverage their potential and address issues of privacy, accountability, ethics, security and intellectual property.“
Abbas also said that the House of Representatives would work with the executive branch to ensure the integration of emerging technologies like AI, robotics, and renewable energy into the school curriculum.
