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Embrace Artificial Intelligence with ethics, VC urges Nigerians

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Embrace Artificial Intelligence with ethics, VC urges Nigerians

By:Michael Mike

The Vice-Chancellor of African School of Economics (The Pan African University of Excellence), Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has urged Africans in general and Nigerians in particular to embrace Artificial Intelligence while cautioning that it is must be used ethically.

Prof. Adedimeji made this submission in his address, “The Past is Present, The Present is Now”, delivered at the maiden Public Lecture of the university held on Thursday, January 30, 2024. The theme of the lecture, delivered by the Managing Director and CEO of Galaxy Backbone Limited, an agency of the Federal Government, Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, was “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Higher Education in Africa”.

According to the two-time Vice-Chancellor, humanity today stands precariously at the brink of a precipice with fascinating and disruptive technologies that can be used to make life easy and abused to commit atrocities. He described Artificial Intelligence, once a subject of science fiction, as a current reality that permeates various facets of our lives, with its potential in education being amazing, adding that it is part of the past that is still present and it is an innovation that will still shape the future and the future is here already.

“With AI, it is possible for each student to receive personalised instruction. We can also analyse vast amounts of data and gain insights into how each student learns best, meaning that a one-size-fits-all model of education may no longer be applicable or sustainable. AI opens new doors to customised learning experience that nurtures each student’s potential. With instructional tools, education can be more dynamic, engaging and interactive, sparking curiosity, igniting creative thinking and fostering a love for lifelong learning,” he said.

He also noted the indispensable roles of AI in facilitating access to education. “We know that AI can facilitate global access to quality education, the fourth Sustainable Development Goal, and bring world-class resources to remote and underserved areas, thereby breaking down geographical barriers and democratising access to knowledge. Students anywhere can also have access to the same cutting-edge materials and expert instruction available somewhere, leveling the playing field like never before. The opportunities are limitless,” he stressed.

Nevertheless, he warned against its abuse, arguing that while Africans embark on the exciting journey that AI offers, there is a need for protocol, policies and frameworks the safeguard those values that are dear to us from being eroded, so that technology one day does not become our master, controlling and misleading us. He added that the tail should not wag the dog and humans should always be in charge, not that we should allow technology to control us.

He illustrated the need for ethical use of AI with the situation encountered in the 2004 American film, “I, Robot”, which stars Will Smith. He said the film futuristically portrays intelligent robots filling up public service positions with a smart but technophobic cop investigating a crime that might have been perpetrated by a robot, which eventually constitutes a threat to humanity. He noted that there is ultimately a deadly class between smart robots and humans in the film portraying the threat to humans that created them.

Prof. Adedimeji further used the occasion to invite applicants to the University, which he described as a convention university that offers twenty academic programmes in Arts, Social Sciences, Science and Computing as well as Allied Health Sciences at the undergraduate level. He added that his university also runs approved postgraduate programmes in Economics, Public Administration, Business Administration as well as Finance and Management.

Embrace Artificial Intelligence with ethics, VC urges Nigerians

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Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna

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Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

A 42-year-old man, Shok Musa, has been killed by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Kafanchan in Kaduna state.

Zagazola gathered from reliable sources that the incident occurred on Sunday night near the victim’s shop at Ungwa Kanikon, Gidan Waya.

Security forces rushed to the scene after receiving a distress call, and found Musa with fatal gunshot injuries on his back.

“He was taken to Anglican Hospital, Gidan Waya, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor. His body was later deposited at the Kafanchan General Hospital mortuary,”said the sources.

The sources added that investigation had commenced, and efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the perpetrators.

Gunmen kill trader in Kafanchan, kaduna

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Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway

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Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway

By: Zagazola Makama

Security forces have intensified patrols and security measures along the Abuja–Kaduna railway corridor, Rigasa train station, and the Abuja–Kaduna highway.

Sources said the move was part of efforts to protect critical transport infrastructure and forestall criminal attacks.

The sources stated that area commanders in Jere and Kakuri, as well as divisional police officers along the rail corridor, had been placed on red alert in collaboration with other security agencies.

“Rigasa train main station has been fortified, while patrols along the railway line and sub-stations have been intensified. Patrol vehicles deployed on the Abuja–Kaduna highway are maintaining 24-hour visibility, with hourly situation reports rendered accordingly,”said sources.

Security forces assured the public of its commitment to ensuring safe travel and the protection of lives and property across the state.

Security forces fortify Kaduna–Abuja rail line, Rigasa station and highway

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Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina

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Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina

By: Zagazola Makama

At least two persons were killed following an attack by suspected bandits on villages in Dutsinma Local Government Area of the state.

Sources said the incident occurred on Sunday night when bandits invaded Babangida and Madugu villages.

The sources said that the military troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in collaboration with the police and local patrol teams, responded swiftly and engaged the attackers in a gun duel, forcing them to abort a planned assault on Sabon Garin Safana village.

“However, two victims, identified as Shamsu Sani, 25, of Makera, and Abdurrashed Rabe, 25, of Tashar Mangwaro, sustained critical injuries and were rushed to the General Hospital, Dutsinma, where they were confirmed dead,” said the sources.

The sources said that efforts were ongoing to track down and arrest the fleeing bandits.

Two killed as troops repel bandit attack in Katsina

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