AI: Develop Workable Template with Monarchs to Tackle Insecurity, Osemawe Tasks NISS

Sunday Aborisade in Abuja

The Osemawe and paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Victor Adesimbo Kiladejo, has urged the management of the National Institute for Security Studies, (NISS), to develop a workable artificial intelligence template for more effective engagement with the traditional leaders to enhance security of Nigeria.

Osemawe stated this at the Bwari, Abuja Campus of NISS yesterday, when he delivered a lecture titled, “Artificial Intelligence, Security and Emerging Economies In Africa: Challenges And Prospects: The Traditional Institutions’ Perspectives,” to the participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course (EIMC) of the institute.

The prepared speech of the Ondo First Class monarch, made available to THISDAY in Abuja on Monday, was delivered by professor of political science and former vice chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, Prof. Femi Mimiko.

The Osemawe urged the authorities of NISS to look into the direction of the traditional rulers, who are the closest to the people while employing the use of artificial intelligence and other techniques to tackle the insecurity scourge in Nigeria.

The Monarch said: “It is evident from the foregoing that science, technology and innovation, which have earned their place as bedrock of human advancement will continue to shape the direction of human engagement going into the future.

“They collectively would continue to determine the nature of production, distribution and exchange in all societies.

“It is thus, trite that the more invested a country is on these issues, the faster its pace on the trajectory of development.

“Al has made a great appearance as the tool of the now, and of the future, that would ensure that machines become increasingly smart, and deployable in all aspects of human life — from what we eat, to how we fight wars – and therefore promises to continue to be a game changer.

“In the arena of security, it is doubtless that as good people rally to the usage of Al, so does bad people of criminal intents have the leeway to deploy AI.

“This imposes on society the need for greater investment in science, technology and innovation, just so to ensure that the state stays ahead of those determined at the usage of the intellect, not for the betterment of humanity, but as a scamming platform.

“The traditional institutions have functioned extensively over the years, to secure their jurisdictions.

“It is obvious from the way they have been doing that, that expansive room exists for collaboration by the security services and the traditional rulers in the evolving scenario.

“It becomes needful, first, that some form of formalisation is brought to bear on the roles that the traditional institutions have been performing in the country. This includes the very important arena of security.

“There is also the need for NISS to put more attention to the development of its AI and cyber capabilities and infrastructures, again, with a view to staying ahead of criminals.

“It is reported that a country like China has started developing robotic soldiers, using Al technology. The USA has set up a Space Force, as an arm of its security architecture.

“These promise to change our current conception of warfare and international engagement.

“It would be apposite for an agency like NISS to be at the vanguard of advising the Nigerian government on what to do in relation to these changing margins of technology and its applicability.

“It is trite that it is at the grassroots that the people reside. Evidence abounds that the mass of the people has a considerable degree of trust in our traditional institutions, which have proved adept at helping with the administration of security at that level.

“It is needful going forward, for NISS to develop a workable template for more effective engagement with the traditional leaders to enhance security of the land.

“Above all, a deliberate effort must be made by government to deepen the interest of our children in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), of course, without neglecting the humanities.

“This would ensure that as a country, nay continent, we can secure a credible space for participation in the evolving Fourth Industrial Revolution.”