Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Femi Ajakaye has urged media practitioners to raise their voice against the dangers associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Ajakaye, who made the call at the 58th World Social Communications Day held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedra, in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State stressed the need for all stakeholders including politicians to condemn and resist any legislation aimed at approving the use of artificial intelligence to the detriment of humanity.
The clergyman was represented by his vicar-general, Rev. Fr. Felix Odesanmi.
The cleric pointed out that efforts must be geared towards ensuring that, “while we approved of the good things that technology have brought to us, we should be conscious of the dangers both economic wise leading to unemployment and the moral issues that go along with it.
“We still have a high rate of unemployment in Africa, by the time we allow this artificial intelligence, “AI”, to take control of us and is everywhere, a lot of people and the rate of unemployment would be higher or triple or more.
“Artificial intelligence, as we know, the rate at which technology is going, a lot of jobs ordinarily being done by human beings are simply being taken over by machines and if these continue, there is going to be a serious rate of unemployment in Africa and other nations.
“All efforts of the capitalists in ensuring that they do not just take the world for granted should be condemned, because they are just for economic gains”.
Bishop Ajakaye who noted that technology is very good, however, said that we have to be wary that God made us, to know Him, Love Him and to Serve Him, so that through this means, we have the salvation of our souls.
“Artificial intelligence has no thinking, no conscience, where those two things are lacking, there is danger. Otherwise, the future of the world is very bleak”.
