Isa Pantami urges Nigerian universities to establish AI task forces

Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, the former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, has called on the universities nationwide to immediately establish Artificial Intelligence (AI) task forces.
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The purpose of these multidisciplinary groups is to draft guidelines for the ethical and effective use of AI across learning, teaching, research, and institutional administration.
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Pantami emphasized that while AI is projected to generate 97 million jobs globally, and also adding $15 trillion to the global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030, its opportunities are accompanied by critical risks, mainly on academic integrity and data privacy.
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The former Minister delivered his keynote address at a national conference organized by Gombe State University, focusing on the theme: “Generative AI: Transforming Education, Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations”. His address outlined the global trend of generative AI, which can produce original content like text, code, and images, and the need for Nigerian institutions to adapt to remain competitive.
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Pantami stressed that AI will not render humans obsolete but that those who learn how to use it will replace those who fail to learn it. He stressed on key challenges, including the rise of algorithmic bias and students using AI to generate entire assignments, which undermines quality, authenticity and  originality.
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The recommended task forces are intended to formulate proactive policies and invest in AI research, following the approach of leading global institutions like MIT and Harvard.
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Professor Pantami outlined five key recommendations for higher institutions, starting with the establishment of the task forces and including measures to support AI-related entrepreneurship.
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He encouraged institutions to prioritize practical steps to manage the challenges, by acquiring platforms to detect plagiarism and AI-generated work to maintain academic integrity. He also urged increased investment in AI research and innovationby universities, state, and federal governments to ensure global competitiveness.
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