Experts Warn Of Ethical, Skills Gaps In Africa’s AI Adoption

Experts and stakeholders in the field of human resource management and academia have raised concerns over ethical and skills deficiencies that could hinder Africa’s ability to fully benefit from Artificial Intelligence (AI), even as the technology continues to reshape the global world of work.

The warning came at the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) 3rd International Academic Conference, organised in collaboration with the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, University of Lagos, themed: “Artificial Intelligence in Academia, Industry and Government: Navigating Ethics, Innovation and Impact.”

Speaking at the conference, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, stressed that the conversation around AI must go beyond adoption to responsible governance that prioritises ethics, accountability, and human-centred values.

He warned that innovation without ethics and technology without accountability could become dangerous, urging organisations and institutions to ensure that human dignity, fairness, transparency, inclusion, and responsibility remain central to AI deployment.

“Algorithms do not build trust. People build trust. Machines do not create culture. People create culture,” Gobir said, noting that organisational success depends more on people’s skills, mindset, and values than on advanced technologies.

Delivering a keynote address, Prof. Sunday Adebisi described AI as “the world’s new infrastructure,” adding that it has moved beyond a workplace tool to a key driver of learning, production, governance, and communication.

However, he warned that Africa risks being left behind in the AI revolution due to critical gaps in digital infrastructure, ICT skills, regulatory frameworks, and ethical governance systems.

According to him, these deficiencies could limit the continent’s ability to fully harness AI’s benefits and may even worsen unemployment challenges if not urgently addressed.

Another keynote speaker, Mr. Henry Onukuba, FCIPM, also highlighted both the opportunities and risks associated with AI adoption. He noted that while AI could revolutionise service delivery, education, and productivity, its integration must be handled carefully to avoid undermining fairness, accountability, and public trust.

He observed that AI-powered learning systems could help bridge educational inequalities by expanding access to quality information, especially for students in underserved communities. However, he stressed that the success of such innovations depends on how well institutions manage ethical concerns and skills development.

“AI will not take over your job. Your job will be taken over by someone who knows how to work smarter and more effectively with AI,” he said.

Chairman of the Academic Conference and Head of the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluseyi Shadare, ACIPM, described the theme of the conference as timely, given the rapid advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He noted that while AI presents opportunities for innovation and competitiveness, it also raises serious concerns around employment displacement, privacy, inequality, and the ethical use of technology, reinforcing the need for stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Abdul-Hameed Sulaimon, commended CIPM and the Department for hosting the conference and urged participants to translate discussions into practical action within their institutions.

The conference also featured the presentation of 47 research abstracts, out of which 38 advanced to full paper presentations following rigorous review. At the end of the exercise, Dr. Aramide Kuforiji emerged as the overall best researcher, while Prof. Sam Bodunrin and Dr. Ifeanyi Enukorah placed second and third respectively.

The recognition of outstanding research underscored the conference’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and evidence-based contributions to the future of work.

In conclusion, participants agreed that while Artificial Intelligence will continue to shape the future of work and society, its impact will ultimately depend on how effectively Africa addresses its ethical, regulatory, and skills challenges to ensure inclusive and responsible adoption.