…trains journalists on AI and religion
The Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence (NRCAI) has called for the development of an inclusive ethical policy and regulatory framework to guide the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria, warning that unregulated deployment of the technology could pose significant risks to society.
The Director of the Christian Council of Nigeria–Institute of Church and Society, Very Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, made the call while addressing journalists at a training workshop on artificial intelligence and religion in Port Harcourt. The training, organised by NRCAI for journalists from the South-South geopolitical zone, aimed to deepen understanding of the ethical dimensions of AI and encourage responsible reporting on the technology.
Fadahunsi, who served as lead facilitator at the workshop, said the urgency for an ethical framework had become necessary due to the potential dangers associated with the misuse of AI.
“Artificial Intelligence poses catastrophic risks to human safety, agency, diversity and communities, either through mismatched market incentives, misuse, or the possibility of humans losing control,” he said.
While acknowledging the transformative benefits of AI in areas such as the economy, governance, education and creativity, he stressed the need to ensure that the technology is deployed in ways that promote justice, accountability and social harmony.
According to him, the absence of clear regulations in Nigeria has created a situation where AI tools are being used without adequate safeguards.
“At the moment, the use of AI in Nigeria is largely unregulated. There are no clear penalties for misuse. The AI we adopt must be compassionate, justice-driven, transparent and accountable,” Fadahunsi stated.
He expressed concern that the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, particularly sections 4.1.1 to 4.1.3, which proposes the creation of an expert ethical group of stakeholders, did not sufficiently accommodate religious bodies whose perspectives could help promote tolerance and inclusiveness.
Fadahunsi disclosed that NRCAI had developed a report titled God in the Engine, which highlights ethical concerns surrounding AI and religion, particularly the potential harm that unregulated AI applications could pose to children and other vulnerable groups.
He described journalists as key stakeholders in shaping public understanding of AI and called on the media to support advocacy for responsible and ethical deployment of the technology.
“We see journalists as critical partners because they shape public opinion and information flow in the country. We encourage them to report in ways that promote the demand for AI that is ethically responsible to Nigerians,” he said.
Also speaking at the workshop, the Chief Imam of Imo State, Imam Yusuf Suleiman Njoku, who presented the ethical position on AI from an Islamic perspective, emphasised the need for government intervention to curb misuse of the technology.
He warned that AI could be deployed to spread misinformation capable of inciting violence and hatred if left unchecked.
“We are calling on the government to establish policies that will sanction those who use AI to mislead people by spreading false information capable of creating conflict in society,” Njoku said.
He added that while AI offers significant benefits to humanity, stakeholders must ensure that its application does not distort moral values or undermine responsible human conduct.
The workshop underscored the growing interest among religious leaders and media professionals in shaping ethical standards for emerging technologies in Nigeria.
