The Vice-Chancellor of Bingham University, Kalu, Nasarawa State, Professor Haruna Ayuba, called on academics and students to embrace artificial intelligence in a responsible and ethical manner.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day workshop for graduate students at the university, Ayuba said technological tools must always be guided by human values and moral principles.
The training was sponsored by Bingham University’s School of Communication and Media in collaboration with the Center for Continuing Professional Education, Faculty of Philosophy, RUDIN University, Russia.
The vice-chancellor said the partnership reflects a commitment to academic excellence and international cooperation.
He said this will provide a platform for knowledge exchange, skills development and responsible use of emerging technologies.
Professor Ayuba said, “In an era characterized by rapid technological progress, the integration of ethical AI in academic research and writing, along with innovative digital pedagogy, has become essential in shaping the future of higher education.”
The Vice-Chancellor noted that artificial intelligence is becoming a routine feature in academic environments, and stressed that its expansion must continue to be responsible, fair, transparent, and respectful of human rights.
“If academics can minimize harm, prevent bias, protect privacy, and promote fairness and accountability in AI applications, we will have won a big battle,” he added.
In his opening remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media, Professor Desmond Okocha, said that artificial intelligence is now playing a major role in several fields, especially in the field of education, which is the basis for all other fields.
Dong University explains that most discussions about AI focus on less than 10 percent of its overall ecosystem, and urges academics to seek a deeper understanding of its structure, tools, benefits, and legal implications.
Okocha noted that AI is not a single homogeneous application, explaining that it can be used at different stages of academic research, including idea generation, research, assignments, and papers.
“AI is here to stay, but it will never replace humans; it will only augment humans’ ability to function in their environments,” added Okocha, who also serves as dean of the university’s School of Mass Communication.
Associate Professor Mustafa Jamiu from Russia’s RUDIN University also said in his speech that the training is part of a scholarship-based short course aimed at improving the skills of African university staff and students.
He said the program, which was launched in 2023, was within weeks being hosted by eight universities across Nigeria.
Professor Ayodele Joseph, Director of the Center for Digital Inequalities and Social Informatics, Kaduna State University, said in a lecture that while AI has several benefits, he cautioned that misuse could lead to academic complacency.
“The use of AI is not a bad thing, but it should be done ethically. Students should understand how to use AI and not allow AI to use it,” he said.
