A two-day workshop on the ethics and sustainability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in higher education has been held at the headquarters of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), in Abuja, where industry experts explored the potentials of AI in different ramifications.
The workshop jointly organised by the host institution and the University of Notre Dame’s IBM Tech Ethics Lab, focused on addressing AI’s ethical challenges and sustainability concerns in the Nigerian educational context.
It commenced with an opening speech by the NOUN Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, who emphasised the importance of integrating ethical considerations into the development and deployment of AI technologies in higher education.
“As we embrace the digital revolution, it is imperative that we do not lose sight of the ethical implications of AI.
“This workshop is a critical step toward ensuring that AI serves as a tool for equity, inclusivity, and sustainable development in our educational systems,” Peters said.
The VC expressed gratitude to the University of Notre Dame for its partnership and reiterated NOUN’s commitment to leading the conversation on AI ethics in Nigeria.
Prof. Nuno Moniz, the Director of the Notre Dame IBM Tech Ethics Lab, delivered a keynote address on the global implications of AI ethics and highlighted the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address the complex ethical issues posed by AI.
“AI is not just a technological challenge; it is a societal one,” Moniz remarked, stressing that “By fostering partnerships between institutions like NOUN and Notre Dame, we can create a global network of expertise to tackle these issues collectively.”
Also speaking, the Director of the Notre Dame Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society, Prof. Nitesh Chawla, emphasized on the role of data-driven decision-making in achieving sustainable development goals.
“AI has the potential to revolutionise education, but only if we ensure that it is used in ways that are fair and sustainable,” Chawla said.
He called for increased investment in AI research and development in Africa, noting that the continent’s unique challenges require tailored solutions.
There was a presentation of a research paper by Dr. Helen Olojede and Mr. Felix Olakunlehin, both researchers from NOUN’s Regional Training and Research Institute for Distance and Open Learning (RETRIDOL) on the use of AI in higher education for sustainable development in Nigeria.
Their research examined the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption in Nigerian universities and proposed actionable strategies to ensure that AI technologies are used responsibly, with a focus on bridging the digital divide and promoting access to quality education for all.
There were interactive sessions, with participants and attendees exploring topics such as bias in AI algorithms, data privacy, and the role of AI in enhancing teaching and learning outcomes and also the need for policy frameworks to govern the use of AI in higher education, ensuring that it aligns with Nigeria’s national development goals.
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