The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Aminu Maida, has said developing regulations and policies for artificial intelligence deployment remains challenging due to rapid technological advancement.
According to Maida, the dynamic nature of AI necessitates constant adaptation and innovation in regulatory frameworks to ensure relevance and effectiveness.
He made this disclosure during a recent address at the 2024 World Consumer Rights Day event in Abuja.
He stated that addressing those challenges required collaborative efforts among stakeholders from various sectors, including academia, industry, government, and civil society.
The NCC EVC stated that by leveraging collective expertise and insights, regulators could develop nuanced policies that address the unique challenges posed by AI technologies.
“In this era that has seen the rise of AI and IoT cybersecurity, it is important to break silos and foster collaboration in the Quadruple Helix Innovation model, comprising academia, industry, government, and society, to share ideas. AI developers and regulators have to ensure AI system algorithms consider ethics and inclusivity,” he noted.
In alignment with global trends, the NCC adopted the theme for this year’s World Consumer Rights Day as “Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence for the Consumer”.
He noted that the theme reflected its commitment to addressing ethical considerations surrounding AI deployment and promoting accountability in AI systems.
He asserted that such transparency was necessary to ensure that decisions made by AI could be explained and mistakes corrected, thereby promoting fairness and equality for all individuals, regardless of their background.
He said that responsible AI means using it ethically throughout its development, deployment, and usage.
According to Maida, this includes considering issues like bias, privacy, transparency, and accountability.
He said, “Protecting citizens’ privacy is extremely important when using AI. Organisations should handle personal data responsibly, following strict privacy regulations. Respecting privacy builds trust in AI systems.
“Responsible AI requires mechanisms for holding systems accountable and explaining their decisions. Consumers should understand how AI systems work and have a way to address issues or biases,” the NCC EVC said.
Maida acknowledged the transformational roles technology has played across every sector of the economy.
“Conversely, with inordinate power comes great obligation. As we celebrate the advancements in AI, we must also grapple with ethical questions.
“How do we ensure that AI systems are fair and unbiased? How do we protect privacy in an age of data-driven AI? These are complex issues that require careful consideration.
“Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence for the Consumer,” he stated.