University of Ibadan Inaugurates Committee to Draft Policy on Ethical AI Use

‎The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, has said that artificial intelligence needed to be used ethically.

He made this statement at the inauguration of the Committee on University Policy on Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for both Staff and Students of the university.

Professor Adebowale acknowledged AI as a tool which holds immense benefits for innovation, learning, and problem-solving but described it as a wild fire. 

He warned that its rapid and dynamic nature makes it vulnerable and emphasized the need for human oversight to ensure its ethical use, particularly by staff and students of the university. 

The Vice Chancellor stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive policy framework to guide the ethical use, ensure accountability, and protect AI against abuse within the university community.

He stated that the establishment of the committee was long overdue, noting that when the policy is fully operational, both staff and students would be required to conform with ethical standards in the use of AI.

He, therefore, charged the committee to develop a robust and proactive policy, considering the rapid development of artificial intelligence in today’s world.

‎The Convener of the Committee, Professor O.F.W. Onifade, who is the Director of the University’s Distance Learning Centre appreciated the Vice-Chancellor for the importance and urgency placed on the need to have a policy that establishes the ethical use of AI in the university. 

He recalled that UNESCO had a summit in line with the ethical use of AI recently, lauding the initiative to develop a policy that will be peculiar to the University of Ibadan.

Professor Onifade thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the confidence reposed in the committee members and assured that they will commit themselves unequivocally to the cause and produce a policy that will meet up with international standards.