OJUMU CALLS FOR GLOBAL CONSENSUS ON AI REGULATION

A call has been made for a global consensus on artificial intelligence regulation, with Ojumu stressing the need for countries to work together to establish common principles for the development and use of the rapidly advancing technology.

The appeal reflects growing concerns about the risks associated with AI, including data privacy violations, misinformation, algorithmic bias and the potential misuse of increasingly powerful automated systems.

As AI adoption expands across healthcare, education, finance, manufacturing and public administration, governments face the challenge of encouraging innovation while protecting citizens from harm. Different national approaches to regulation could also create complications for companies operating across borders.

A coordinated international framework could help establish shared standards for transparency, accountability, safety and responsible data management. It could also provide clearer expectations for technology developers and organisations deploying AI systems.

However, reaching a global agreement would require countries to navigate differences in their legal systems, economic priorities and technological capabilities. Developed economies with advanced AI industries may have different concerns from developing countries seeking affordable access to technology and the capacity to build local expertise.

For countries such as Nigeria, international cooperation could help ensure that emerging AI standards reflect the interests of developing economies. It could also support efforts to strengthen digital infrastructure, improve technical skills and encourage responsible innovation.

Experts have increasingly highlighted the importance of ensuring that AI systems remain subject to appropriate human oversight, particularly when used in areas that affect people's rights, livelihoods and access to essential services.

Regulation must also be flexible enough to respond to rapid technological changes without unnecessarily restricting beneficial research and innovation.

Ojumu's call underscores the need for governments, technology companies, researchers and civil society organisations to participate in discussions about AI governance.

Ultimately, a shared global approach could help countries manage AI-related risks more effectively while ensuring that the technology's benefits are distributed more widely and responsibly.