Nigerians have been urged to exercise caution in the adoption and deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a call to weigh its benefits alongside its potential risks.
Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, a Professor of Cybersecurity and former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, said this on Friday at the 16th Annual General Conference of the Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (MULAN), held in Ilorin, Kwara State.
BusinessDay reports that while delivering his keynote address on the theme: “Artificial Intelligence, Law, and Religion in Nigeria,” Pantami emphasised the importance of regulating AI, especially as it is increasingly mimicking human cognitive processes.
“AI is a powerful tool. It can solve problems, boost efficiency and productivity, save time, and support professionals across various sectors,” he noted.
Pantami, however, warned that it must be approached wisely, “Nigerians should use AI to enhance their capabilities, not to replace their intellect. Over-reliance on AI could weaken our mental faculties and reduce our critical thinking abilities.”
BusinessDay reports that the cybersecurity expert raised concerns about the potential misuse of AI, especially in criminal activities where accountability is difficult to establish. He urged the Federal Government, through the National Assembly, to enact a National Artificial Intelligence Development and Deployment Act to regulate AI use and prevent its abuse.
He also advocated for a National Accountability and Liability Act that would hold individuals and organisations accountable for the development and deployment of AI technologies used in criminal activities.
In her submission, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), cautioned legal practitioners in the country, especially members of the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN), on the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the nation’s legal framework.
The CJN explained that legal practitioners should use AI with critical minds before its integration into legal frameworks so that it does not disrupt the country’s established cultural norms and values.
The CJN, represented at the event by Justice Ridwan Maiwada Abdullahi, the presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, described theme as apt and timely, saying that AI is simply the replication of human intelligence in machines that are premeditated to think and act like humans.
“However, it remains to be seen that as Ummah in the legal profession, we owe it a duty to scrutinize with critical minds, before we allow the integration of this said AI into our legal framework, to ensure that it does not distort or tamper with our divine laws and principles well guided according to the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon Him).
“Adversely, if nothing is done to ensure the foregoing, there is every tendency that the AI will not only disrupt our established cultural norms and values but will also influence our well-founded religious principles among other adversities, as it is known to have no empathy and contextual sensitivity necessary to handle cases involving personal and communal relationships fittingly.
“Significantly, and due to the dynamism of our society, the Nigerian legal system must be kept abreast with this new development so as not to be left behind in adapting to this novel AI in the adjudication of cases in Nigeria”.
BusinessDay reports that Saidu Muhammed Tundun-Wada, the MULAN’s National President, who said AI is already transforming legal practice in Nigeria, added that AI innovations present unprecedented opportunities, enhance access to justice and improve legal service delivery.
“Consider the emergence of predictive analytics for case outcomes, automated contract drafting systems, rapid legal research capabilities, and AI-powered legal assistance chatbots.
“However, these advancements raise critical ethical considerations. How can we ensure AI systems adhere to the fundamental ethical principles that govern our profession? What measures can we implement to address ethical, potential algorithmic biases?
“These challenges become more complex in our pluralistic society, where different religious communities may hold varying perspectives on justice and discretion that machines can not.
“Can artificial intelligence truly comprehend the nuances of Islamic jurisprudence? Can it exercise the sophisticated judgment required to balance various interpretations as human judges do, drawing upon both legal expertise and religious understanding?”
