Oloyede cautions lecturers, students, others on the use of AI

A former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and incumbent Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, CON, has urged lecturers, students and other stakeholders in the education sector to be wary of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) because of its multidimensional complexities.

_{Prof. Is-haq Olanrewaju Oloyede, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin and incumbent Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)}

Prof. Oloyede, who is the 8th Chief Executive of the nation’s most sought-after University, gave this advice last Wednesday (October 9, 2024) while delivering the 8th University of Ilorin Lecture, titled “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanities”, at the University Auditorium. He particularly urged learners to always be conversant with the real subject-matters before deploying the use of Artificial Intelligence in their attempt to improve their know-how. The JAMB Registrar, who emphasised the inevitability of Artificial Intelligence in the contemporary world, explained that only those who have deep learning of a particular discipline can take proper advantage of Artificial Intelligence.

He explained that those who are not properly grounded in a field of learning can be easily misled by the unbridled use of Artificial Intelligence instead of deepening their learning. Speaking on the importance of the new technological innovation, Prof. Oloyede urged African countries to adopt Artificial Intelligence with care. He said that though Artificial Intelligence has become a catalyst of development because it offers significant opportunities needed to address challenges in key areas like education, healthcare, governance, and agriculture, it must be carefully deployed.

_{Prof. Oloyede during his speech}

The renowned scholar also urged universities to rethink their assessment methods to prioritise creativity, critical thinking, and original analysis over simple fact recall or data processing. Prof. Oloyede also said that as pervasive as Artificial Intelligence is, it cannot erase or debase humanity as being feared in some quarters, saying that the technology is human induced. Answering a question, Prof. Oloyede, who is also the Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also charged adherents of different faiths to always practise their religions with sincerity. He blamed the rise of dangerous and divisive elements like the Boko Haram insurgents on the failure of religious scholars who appeared to either lack proper understanding of their faiths or have abandoned their responsibilities. The former UNILORIN Vice Chancellor thanked the authorities of the University for the opportunity given him to present the lecture as he advised the nation’s University system to stick to the age-long culture of ivory towers. In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, described Prof. Oloyede as a distinguished alumnus, scholar, and member of the University community. Prof. Egbewole commended the renowned Professor of Islamic Jurisprudence for his innovative approach to issues before, during, and after his tour of duties as the Vice Chancellor of the University between 2007 and 2012.

_{A snapshot of the audience}

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including two former Vice Chancellors of the University, Prof. Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, OFR, and Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali, OON, and their spouses as well as a former Minister of Steel Development and erstwhile Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Alhaji Sharafadeen Tunji Ishola, among other