By Mikail Mumuni, in Ilorin
*Photo: Professor Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar of JAMB (1st left), Professor Wahab Egbewole, Vice-Chancellor of University of Ilorin (3rd left), at the 8th edition of The University of Ilorin Lectures delivered by Oloyede on Wednesday *
Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof Ishaq Oloyede has proferred far reaching recommendations for what he called the positive and equitable use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Humanities for the advancement of genuine course of humanity.
Oloyede gave the recommendations on Wednesday, 9th October 2024 , at the 8th edition of The University of Ilorin he delivered on Artificial Intelligence And The Future Of The Humanities under the Chairmanship of the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof Wahab Egbewole and attended by prominent Nigerians, including Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; Professor Yusuf Olaolu Ali SAN; University Vice-Chancellors; students and staff of the University of Ilorin as well as representatives of traditional rulers from parts of the country, among others.
First on the list of the recommendations by Oloyede, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin was the
Development of Ethical AI Guidelines.
On this, he said “Universities and organisations should prioritise creating clear ethical guidelines for using AI in education, research and the humanities. These guidelines should be grounded in philosophical and ethical principles, ensuring that the use of AI promotes fairness, transparency, and responsibility.”
The eminent scholar also made a case for “AI Literacy in Humanities Education”, arguing that “There is a pressing need to incorporate AI literacy into Humanities Education. Students must be equipped with both the technical skills to utilise AI tools and the critical thinking required to evaluate their outputs. This education must emphasise responsible use, balancing AI’s potential with the importance of human insight.”
He equally recommended “Emphasis on Human-AI Collaboration”, stressing that “Instead of viewing AI as a threat to human roles in the Humanities, institutions should encourage collaboration between humans and AI. AI can support tasks like language processing, research organisation, summarising and proofreading, allowing scholars to focus on deeper analysis and creativity but Humanities education must continue to emphasise critical thinking and creativity. There needs to be a stronger balance between AI use and human intellectual engagement.”
While calling for a “Review of the Humanities Curricula”, he said “The integration of AI in the Humanities requires curricula that teach both soft skills—like empathy, communication, and ethical reasoning—and AI competencies. Educational models must move beyond mechanistic approaches to fully incorporate the affective and ethical domains, preparing students for an AI-enhanced future.”
Oloyede, who is the Secretary General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), also called for “Strengthening AI’s Role in Islamic Studies and Law.”
According to him, “In fields like Islamic Studies and Law, AI must be developed with sensitivity to ethical and cultural contexts. Universities and scholars should explore how AI can assist in complex tasks like issuing fatwas or navigating legal ethics, while ensuring that AI aligns with fundamental human values.”
The JAMB Registrar who also made a case for “Addressing Over-reliance on AI Tools” said “Universities and educators must actively work to prevent over-reliance on AI-generated content. AI tools are beneficial, but they cannot replace the nuanced and context-sensitive nature of human insight. More work is needed to be done in guiding students and professionals on when and how to use AI appropriately.”
Ensuring AI-Generated Content Authenticity did not escape his radar as he said “Tools like Turnitin and GPTZero, used to detect AI-generated content, should continue to be refined to avoid misuse or false identification. Simultaneously, institutions should develop a culture that values authentic academic work while recognising the legitimate use of AI as a research aid.”
He also said “AI systems should be developed with greater ethical considerations, particularly in sensitive fields like law and Islamic studies. Collaboration between technologists and humanities scholars is essential in ensuring that AI aligns with moral frameworks that respect cultural diversity and human dignity.”
Equally of importance to him is the need for developing countries, especially those in Africa, to “actively engage in the global AI landscape to avoid being left behind.”
He pointed out that “The AI revolution is reshaping industries, economies, and education worldwide. If African countries do not take proactive steps to participate, they risk becoming consumers rather than contributors. Governments and institutions across Africa should invest in AI research, education and infrastructure to foster local innovation and ensure that the continent’s unique needs and perspectives shape the future of AI. This includes improving internet connectivity, increasing access to data centres and investing in high-performance computing technologies. Governments should partner with both local tech companies and international firms to develop the digital infrastructure required to support AI research and applications. Africa needs to be part of the global AI conversation to ensure its development aligns with the region’s needs and interests. African governments and institutions should develop AI strategies and policies to foster homegrown AI talent and innovation.”