‘AI tools will curb electoral malpractice’
Information Technology experts, Folajimi Fakoya, Prof. Adenike Osofisan of University of Ibadan, and Dean of Social Sciences at University of Lagos, Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, have advocated deployment of Artificial Intelligence
Information Technology experts, Folajimi Fakoya, Prof. Adenike Osofisan of University of Ibadan, and Dean of Social Sciences at University of Lagos, Prof. Adelaja Odukoya, have advocated deployment of Artificial Intelligence tools to ensure free, fair and credible elections next year.
Speaking at University of Ibadan panel discussion: “AI and the 2027 General Election in Nigeria: The Realities, The Fakes and The Absurd,” they urged Federal Government, Independent National Electoral Commission and stakeholders to leverage AI’s potential while guarding against its perils.
Fakoya noted AI’s transformative potential in electoral processes, particularly registration.
He said special chatbots could revolutionise voter education by providing real-time guidance to millions simultaneously.
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“A single chatbot can respond to over one million queries at the same time. No human can do that. Such platforms can promote inclusivity and boost voter turnout among digitally-literate population. AI seamless generative capability can also be explored to produce educative content, even in locally-relevant languages.”
Lead speaker, Prof. Osofisan, lamented that election rigging began not on election day, but at registration, noting political parties used agents for vote-buying, which AI could not directly curb.
Prof. Odukoya said while AI’s negative use was global, his fear was amplified by Nigeria’s weak and desperate institutions, adding AI would ultimately matter in the context of existing power struggles during elections.
The event, organised by UI Senior Staff Club, in collaboration with Diamond FM and UITV, provided a platform for experts to synthesise ideas for safeguarding Nigeria’s electoral future against the promise and peril of artificial intelligence.
