Media professionals in Nigeria are advocating for new legislation to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and ensure that it compensates for data scraped from media platforms without authorization.Â
There are plans to introduce a bill in the National Assembly aimed at protecting media-sourced data and holding AI accountable for unauthorized scraping activities.
To safeguard their data, media organizations are encouraged to implement firewalls and other protective measures against unauthorized AI scraping.
Despite these efforts, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have maintained a stance of technological neutrality, stating they are unaware of any current plans to regulate AI.
However, not everyone supports the idea of regulating AI.
Some AI users and business owners argue that regulation could hinder innovation and technological progress.
Olusegun Enitan Dada, Managing Director of IT Horizons, emphasized on the benefits AI offers businesses, including process optimization, data analysis, and actionable insights crucial for business success in Nigeria.
Dada also spoke on the challenges associated with AI adoption, such as the need for quality data, bridging the skill gap, and ensuring privacy through ethical frameworks.
He stressed the importance of strategic AI adoption, which involves investing in research and development, fostering collaborations, and maintaining continuous learning to fully leverage AI’s potential.
