… Sparks Discourse on Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence
The Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, Kwara State University, Malete, made history on Wednesday, April 16, 2025, as it hosted its inaugural faculty lecture series.
The event, held at the university’s Mini Convocation Arena, brought together academics, students, and technology experts to deliberate on a pressing issue in modern higher education: the ethical implications of artificial intelligence.
The lecture’s theme, “Artificial Intelligence and 21st Century Education: Finding the Balance Between Advancement and Ethical Considerations,” underscored the urgent need to align technological progress with integrity in academic spaces.
Professor Rasheed Gbenga Jimoh, Vice-Chancellor of Muhammad Kamalud-deen University, Ilorin, who delivered the inaugural faculty lecture, emphasised that while Artificial Intelligence has revolutionised how educators and students interact with knowledge, it also presents serious ethical and pedagogical dilemmas.
Explaining that AI has become a powerful force in redefining curriculum development, automating grading systems, and enhancing personalised learning, he cautioned that without proper guidelines, AI usage could compromise academic integrity, promote laziness among students, and reinforce existing inequalities in education. He argued that AI should be a supportive tool rather than a substitute for human intellect and effort.
Professor Jimoh offered practical suggestions for ensuring the ethical integration of AI into educational systems, urging universities to establish robust policies that outline acceptable uses of AI, encourage transparency in technology-driven assessment systems, and invest in training for both staff and students.
He advocated for the inclusion of AI ethics in the curriculum, so that students are not just consumers of technology, but critical thinkers capable of questioning and guiding its use.
The Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Professor Shaykh-Luqman Alade Jimoh, in his address, praised the Faculty of ICT for initiating what he described as a timely and crucial conversation, stating that AI’s rapid advancement poses significant challenges for higher institutions, particularly in the areas of teaching, learning, and assessment.
The Vice-Chancellor posed critical questions about how universities can adapt to a reality where AI tools are capable of writing essays, solving mathematical problems, and even generating research papers, stressing the need for clear institutional policies to define the appropriate and ethical use of AI in academic activities. He reiterated the university’s commitment to fostering innovation while upholding academic excellence and ethical standards.
Also speaking at the event, the Dean of the Faculty of ICT, Professor Isiaka Zubair Aliagan, provided insights into the vision behind the lecture series, noting that with the increasing popularity of AI tools, educators are faced with the challenge of maintaining the integrity of learning outcomes while embracing the benefits of technology.
He affirmed that the faculty remains committed to providing leadership in research, teaching, and policy on the responsible use of digital innovations like AI in the university.
The first Faculty of ICT lecture series was not only intellectually stimulating but also served as a springboard for future initiatives aimed at shaping the discourse around AI and education in Nigeria. Participants commended the organisers for the successful outing and called for sustained engagement on the topic.
As artificial intelligence continues to redefine the landscape of education, the conversation initiated by KWASU’s Faculty of ICT offers a roadmap for responsible innovation. The key, as all speakers emphasised, lies in finding the delicate balance between embracing technological advancement and preserving the core values that define true education.
