Tinubu Calls For Responsible AI Deployment Across Key Sectors

President Bola Tinubu has called for the responsible deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) to drive transformation in healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and economic productivity in Nigeria and across Africa.

Tinubu made the call at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Vice-President Kashim Shettima led Nigeria’s delegation on his behalf.

Shettima said emerging technologies could either serve as catalysts for development or be exploited for destructive purposes, depending on how they are deployed.

He noted that AI presents significant opportunities for advancing key sectors of the economy, urging Nigeria and other African countries to embrace technological innovation rather than allow fear and suspicion to hinder progress.

“We refuse to surrender our technological future to paranoia. An invention can be destructive or beneficial, depending on the purposes it serves and the judgement of those who use it. A knife can take a life in the hands of an assailant and save one in the hands of a surgeon.

“We can deploy artificial intelligence to wage war or use it to transform healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and economic productivity. Much of the anxiety surrounding AI reflects the distrust we have allowed to grow among us,” he said.

The Vice-President said Nigeria was expanding its digital and technological infrastructure to equip its growing young population, noting that young Nigerians were already contributing to innovation and technology-driven development.

According to him, the country’s investments are focused on creating an environment where technology can be harnessed for productive purposes rather than warfare or other forms of harm.

“Nigeria is investing in digital public infrastructure, broadband connectivity, innovation ecosystems, research institutions and technology entrepreneurship. We invite the world to work with our inventive, resourceful and enterprising young people to direct AI towards humanity’s advancement rather than its destruction,” Mr Shettima said.