NITDA DG Seeks AI Task Force to Combat Crisis Misinformation in Nigeria
- As Center for Crisis Communication, hosts 1st National Symposium on Digital Innovation in Crisis Communication
DG NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE (3rd from right) flanked by others at the 1st National Crisis Communication Symposium on Digital Innovation held at the National Defence College, Abuja.
The Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Malam Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, has emphasized the urgent need to manage crises differently in a digital age where technology is often weaponized by bad actors.
Speaking at the 1st National Crisis Communication Symposium on Digital Innovation, focused on “Managing Crisis in a Digital Age,” and organized by the Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC) at the National Defence College, Abuja, Inuwa underscored the critical role of governments in protecting citizens from misinformation, particularly during sensitive periods like elections.
In his keynote address, Inuwa described technology as neutral, but warned that its impact depends entirely on how it is used.
He asserted that crises, especially during elections, are often exacerbated by false news and AI-generated content.
The DG highlighted the interconnected nature of technology, showing how economic crises can be instantly triggered by social media.
He cited a 2013 incident where a Syrian hacker’s tweet caused significant financial losses on stock exchanges.
He also pointed to social movements and protests, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Arab Spring, as examples of social media’s profound influence.
Call for Regulation and Accountability
Inuwa raised concerns over the unaccountable power held by big tech companies, comparing it to historical periods of unaccountable authority.
He underscored the polarizing effect of social media on society and its influence on global elections, including the 2016 and 2020 U.S. elections, emphasizing the need for regulation and accountability.
He advocated for the establishment of independent crisis management centers to handle online content, underscoring the importance of local understanding of culture and values in content review.
Inuwa detailed Nigeria’s efforts towards regulation, including: the creation of the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, the Online Harm Protection Bill and efforts to co-design and co-create regulation with all stakeholders.
In conclusion, the NITDA boss reiterated the need to harness the promise of emerging technologies while avoiding their perils through collaboration between government, civil society, and big tech companies.
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