The University of Lagos (UNILAG) is preparing to unveil a policy document aimed at guiding the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic activities.
This initiative is designed to promote critical thinking among students and faculty while addressing concerns related to plagiarism and academic laziness.
The policy is expected to be finalized and presented to the university’s Senate within the next two months.
“If we say no to AI, we will just be deceiving ourselves,” ” Professor Oboh says highlighting that both students and faculty are already using AI technologies for various academic purposes, including for plagiarism detection. However, she says that while these tools can be beneficial, they should not replace critical thinking skills.
Professor Bola Oboh, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academics and Research, UNILAG, announced the planned AI policy during the opening of a three-day workshop focused on ethics in higher education.
The workshop, titled “Intensive Training Workshop on Higher Education Ethics,” and facilitated by Professor Russell Porter, a Fulbright Specialist Awardee and Deputy Ethics Officer at Texas A&M University, Central Texas, was organised by UNILAG’s Office of International Relations, Partnerships, and Prospects (IRPP).
In her remarks, Professor Oboh emphasises the importance of maintaining high ethical standards in academia, particularly as AI technologies become more prevalent in educational settings.
While the application of AI is inevitable, Professor Oboh explains that it is crucial that these tools support intellectual engagement rather than undermine academic integrity.
“If we say no to AI, we will just be deceiving ourselves,” ” Professor Oboh says highlighting that both students and faculty are already using AI technologies for various academic purposes, including for plagiarism detection. However, she says that while these tools can be beneficial, they should not replace critical thinking skills.
The workshop led by Professor Porter aimed to equip faculty members with knowledge about proactive ethics in higher education. Topics covered included accountability, validity, reliability, explainability, security, and privacy concerning AI technologies.
He emphasises the importance of developing preventive measures against ethical challenges rather than reactive responses. According to him, ethical frameworks should be tailored to fit local contexts within Nigerian universities while adhering to global best practices.
The training session took place at UNILAG’s Arthur Mbanefo Digital Research Centre (AMDRC) and was designed to enhance faculty members’ understanding of ethical issues related to emerging technologies like AI.
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