Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has highlighted the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a means to address many of the systemic issues that have historically plagued Nigeria’s elections, stating that AI can minimize human error and enhance transparency.
This was emphasized on Wednesday during his address at the 5th Social Influencers Summit in Kano, organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
Speaking on behalf of the governor, Alhaji Usman Bala, the Special Adviser on State Affairs, remarked, “In light of these challenges, the emergence of AI offers a promising opportunity to tackle many of the longstanding problems in our electoral process.”
Governor Yusuf noted that AI could streamline electoral procedures, reduce human error, and improve transparency. “By automating sensitive tasks like vote counting, AI can help eliminate avenues for corruption and curb the influence of unscrupulous actors,” he added.
He also pointed out that, as the costs associated with manual elections rise, AI provides a more cost-effective solution. “Through digitizing voter registration, real-time data analysis, and automated vote tabulation, we can ensure elections are more accurate, efficient, and transparent,” Yusuf stated.
However, he cautioned about the risks of AI. “AI-driven surveillance can be weaponized to target political opponents and suppress dissent, and AI-powered misinformation, such as bots and deep fakes, poses a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process,” the governor warned.
Earlier, CITAD’s Executive Director, Malam Y. Z Ya’u, stressed the need for public debate on the use of AI in elections. “It’s crucial to initiate discussions on AI’s role in elections to guide future decisions. We’ve just had general elections, and many issues remain unresolved. AI could help address these questions,” he explained.
He also emphasized the importance of influencers in driving societal change. “Influencers shape discussions in our communities. If we want change, we need people who can influence the realization of that change,” Zakariya’u said.
He concluded by highlighting CITAD’s goal of bringing influencers together to better understand and engage with the issues at stake.
