Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission Advocates Responsible AI Development

Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission has taken a strong stance on responsible AI development, emphasizing the critical importance of data privacy and security in an era of rapid technological advancement. At the 12th Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition 2024, the National Commissioner highlighted the transformative potential of AI while cautioning about its risks. The Commissioner stressed the need for compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Act, transparency in AI decision-making, and regular risk assessments. The event also showcased the potential of immersive technologies to transform Africa’s digital landscape, with Arome Ibrahim of Immersive Tech Africa presenting various use cases in e-commerce, education, healthcare, and cultural preservation. The conference concluded with the exhibition of QuantumDoctor, an AI-powered healthcare platform aimed at improving access to medical care for underserved Nigerians.

Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission Advocates Responsible AI Development

In a keynote address presented to Mark the end of the 12th edition of the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition 2024, with the theme “QUANTUM AI AND IMPLICATION TO AFRICA”, the National Commissioner of Nigeria’s Data Protection Commission highlighted the critical importance of data privacy and security in the age of rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

Speaking at a recent event, the Commissioner underscored the transformative potential of AI and the greater responsibility that comes with this power. “The integration of AI into our daily lives raises critical questions about how we protect personal data and maintain security in an increasingly automated world,” the Commissioner stated.

The Commissioner provided examples of how AI models like Meta AI can inadvertently collect and utilize sensitive personal information, without the user’s full understanding or consent. “Imagine the kind of information you may have wanted to share with a friend, and that information ends up in the hands of Meta AI without you realizing it,” the Commissioner cautioned.

To address these concerns, the Commissioner emphasized the need for strict compliance with Nigeria’s Data Protection Act. This includes adhering to principles of lawfulness, fairness, transparency, purpose limitation, data minimization, and accountability. The Commissioner stressed the importance of explainability in AI decision-making, where users are provided clear explanations for outcomes that impact them.

Drawing comparisons between AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Claude AI, the Commissioner highlighted the importance of understanding the privacy policies and data handling practices behind these technologies. “While ChatGPT may be more popular, Claude AI’s privacy policies are more robust in terms of data retention and deletion,” the Commissioner noted.

The Commissioner also looked at some of the emerging risks posed by AI, such as data breaches, privacy violations, and algorithmic bias. Citing examples of credit scoring issues faced by individuals, the Commissioner emphasized the need for periodic risk assessments and robust security measures to mitigate these challenges.

Underscoring the ethical considerations in AI development, the Commissioner discussed the role of AI ethics boards in ensuring systems align with societal values and respect individual rights. The Commissioner pointed to Tesla’s self-driving cars as an example of incorporating intrusive mechanisms to address ethical concerns.

The Commissioner stressed the shared responsibility between AI developers and data subjects in safeguarding privacy and security. “By implementing transparent practices, robust security measures, and raising awareness, we can work towards a more privacy-preserving and secure environment for responsible AI technologies,” the Commissioner said.

The keynote address highlighted the Nigerian Data Protection Commission’s proactive stance in navigating the complex landscape of data privacy and security in the age of AI, calling for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders.

Immersive Technologies Poised to Transform Africa’s Digital Landscape

Also at the event, Arome Ibrahim, the Executive Director of Immersive Tech Africa, shared his vision for leveraging cutting-edge technologies to drive innovation and progress across the African continent.

Ibrahim highlighted the immense potential of Africa as the next digital frontier, with a young, tech-savvy population and a rapidly growing middle class. He emphasized the need for Africans to actively participate in building and shaping the future of technology, particularly in emerging fields like virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and artificial intelligence (AI).

The presentation delved into various use cases of immersive technologies, showcasing how African companies and startups are already harnessing these innovations to transform industries such as e-commerce, education, healthcare, and cultural preservation.

Notable examples include MTN Nigeria’s Yelloverse, Nedbank’s virtual banking environment, and the work of Sisanda Tech in digitizing textbooks to enhance learning experiences for students. The presentation also highlighted the potential of VR in providing virtual experiences for terminally ill children and engaging older adults with nostalgic content.

Ibrahim stressed the importance of empowering African youth and talent, emphasizing the need for access to resources, mentorship, and a supportive ecosystem. He expressed optimism about the continent’s ability to contribute to the global tech industry and create innovative solutions tailored to the unique needs and challenges of Africa.

The presentation underscored the transformative power of immersive technologies and the crucial role they can play in shaping Africa’s digital future, positioning the continent as a hub of innovation and technological advancement.

The 2Day Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition an Initiative of Dr. Evans Woherem the chairman of Digital Africa and One of Nigeria’s Foremost AI Researcher also featured various panelist discussions from experts in the field of Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies and was Capped by the Exhibition of QuantumDoctor an AI Powered digital Healthcare platform developed by an Indigenous firm Quantum Innovative Technologies, to democratize Access to Affordable healthcare for Millions of underserved Nigerians in need of quality Medical Care.