NRCAI demands inclusion of religious bodies in national Artificial Intelligence strategy

He noted that NRCAI seeks collaboration with media leaders to strengthen AI policy framework in Nigeria; publicise faith-based AI education materials aligned with moral and ethical principles, and amplify the voices of Church and Mosque leaders to act as AI ethical ambassadors within their communities.

Rev. Fadahunsi said, “Analytical thinking is gradually being eroded, and responses are becoming the same as people become more reliant on AI.

“Meanwhile, the data that feeds AI is that of the creators. With the United States and China competing, we the consumers, should be able to have a say on what is coming here. So this training is for journalists to understand why religious bodies want to be part of the AI discourse.”

Very Rev. Fadahunsi specifically stressed the fourth pillar of the NAIS 2024.

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“We intend to work with NiTDA (National Information Technology Development Agency) on the strategies outlined in the National Artificial Intelligence Strategies 4.1.1 – 4.1.3, ranging from the creation of a high-level AI ethical expert group/ National AI ethics commission, an initiative to create a diverse and inclusive expert group of stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society.

“The challenge here is the exclusion of religious groups that will contribute to ethical voices for balancing of languages that promote tolerance and inclusiveness, as the commission tends to develop and implement ethical AI principles in Nigeria.

“Furthermore, the strategy of developing National AI ethical principles guided by universal policies must align with critical Nigerian values represented in the core values and standards shaping AI design, development, and deployment in Nigeria.

“Some of these include decoloniality, humanity, technical robustness and safety, inclusion, diversity, non-discrimination, accountability, solidarity, transparency, and responsible data governance.”

While veteran journalist, Tope Oluwaleye, took the media men and women on “Introduction to Basics of Reporting AI and Religion”, international award-winning journalist, Vanessa Adie worked with the participants on “A Quick Guide to Using AI Tools”.

In his presentation, Philip Jakpor, Executive Director, Renevlyn Development Initiative, RDI, noted that while the West is investing billions in AI creation, adoption and deployment, Africa is missing in the race largely due to limited infrastructure, low local data representation, and high implementation costs, and African media is also constrained by entrenched skepticism regarding data biases and potential job losses.

“It is because of these reasons that there is genuine worry among Nigeria’s religious community, which represents about 98 percent of the country’s population. The failure of the Nigerian government to ensure inclusion of faith-based groups in the discussions on deployment of AI is a cause for concern,” Jakpor noted.

In his remarks, Rt. Rev. Dr. Evans Onyemara, General Secretary of CCN, drew attention to the danger of AI-generated media revising stories dear to faiths.

He said the Coalition was making inroads into the various government institutions connected to the AI discourse.

“All we want is a regulation of the use of AI. And it’s why we want journalists to be involved. This is a robust engagement. And on behalf of the CCN President, Most Rev. Dr. David Onuoha, I ask you to feel at home.”

He urged the journalists to be sympathetic to religious reportage and keep the AI discourse going.