The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Nigeria has announced new plans to collaborate with technology companies to reduce potential harm from AI. NHRC’s Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu SAN, spoke about the duality of AI at a recent webinar hosted by the International Network for Corporate Social Responsibility (IN-CSR) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
Nairametrics reported that Ojukwu, the leader of Nigeria’s human rights agency, said, “the NHRC will leverage tech companies to protect Nigerians from harm and discrimination associated with AI usage.”
Working with tech companies to hold them accountable
The NHRC plans to work with tech companies to ensure that AI algorithms are honest and accountable. The Commission intends to authorize human rights assessments, including strict reviews, to identify potential harm before technology is used. This will reduce discrimination and ensure that AI systems work within ethical boundaries.
Ojukwu went on to showcase the importance of human oversight in the use of AI, explaining that even though AI’s is becoming more refined, it’s essential to maintain the role of human oversight.
Establishing ethical guidelines for AI governance in Nigeria
The NHRC’s efforts are part of a broader collaborative plan to create ethical guidelines for AI governance in Nigeria. The Commission is patnering with organisations like IN-CSR and NITDA to produce comprehensive norms and guidelines that will control the ethical use of AI, as stated by Techpoint.
These collaborations plan to align with governance with international human rights standards, like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Nigeria’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights.
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