Experts Call For Ethical, Inclusive Use Of AI In Information Retrieval

Experts have called for the ethical and inclusive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in information retrieval to ensure fairness, transparency and equal access.

They made the call yesterday in Abuja during a three-day National Conference on Harnessing AI Techniques for Efficient Information Management and Retrieval.

The conference was organised under the auspices of the 2024/2025 UNESCO Participation Programme by the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM-UNESCO).

At the event, the Secretary-General of NATCOM-UNESCO, Dr Lateef Idowu Olagunju, emphasised the urgent need to embrace AI as digital communication and data volumes continue to grow rapidly.

He noted that traditional methods can no longer keep up with the scale of modern data, making AI essential for effective information management. He urged participants to fully engage with the opportunities for learning, collaboration, and innovation throughout the three-day conference.

“Artificial Intelligence has already begun to revolutionise how we interact with information systems. These powerful techniques are proving invaluable in managing and retrieving the vast oceans of data that define our modern age.

“Traditional methods are increasingly challenged by this sheer volume, making the exploration and adoption of sophisticated AI algorithms not just beneficial, but crucial.

“This conference is not just a platform to disseminate knowledge, but also a forum to spark collaboration, encourage innovation, and inspire actionable strategies that can be implemented across academic, governmental, and industrial sectors.”

Earlier, the Director of Educational Planning, Research, and Development, represented by Mrs. Khadijah Liman, said that traditional methods are no longer sufficient in today’s dynamic data landscape.

“AI, with its remarkable advancements in machine learning, natural language processing, data mining, and knowledge representation, offers transformative potential in overcoming these challenges.

“Its various techniques not only enhance the speed and accuracy of information retrieval but also enable systems to learn, adapt, and provide context-aware insights that were once thought impossible.”