Lagos:Orodata Science, a Nigerian data science and research organization, has encouraged civil society organizations (CSOs) to play a significant role in shaping the governance of frontier Artificial Intelligence (AI).
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Orodata Science made this call through a policy brief titled ‘Pacing Frontier AI Protecting Rights and Public-Interest Access in Nigeria,’ released in Lagos. The brief highlights the global conversation around the development of advanced AI systems, emphasizing risks and opportunities for Nigeria and other nations in the Global South.
The policy brief follows calls from Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, advocating for deliberate pacing of AI development through stronger evaluations, binding safety standards, and international coordination. These proposals have gained support from industry leaders such as Sam Altman of OpenAI and Elon Musk of xAI and Tesla.
Orodata cautioned against treating voluntary commitments by tech companies as substitutes for enforceable regulations. The organization stressed the importance of Nigeria guarding against risks from unchecked AI advancements, while preventing digital marginalization and technological power concentration.
The organization urged Nigerian CSOs to leverage existing frameworks like the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and the African Union Continental AI Strategy. These frameworks should help demand verifiable commitments from AI developers, ensuring data sovereignty and equitable access.
Orodata clarified that ‘pacing’ AI does not mean halting development but rather implementing regulatory checkpoints and safety evaluations before deploying advanced systems. The organization identified independent evaluations and harmonized safety standards as essential for responsible AI governance.
Concerns were raised about Nigeria’s reliance on AI models developed outside Africa, which could pose strategic vulnerabilities. Changes to foreign AI platforms could disrupt local initiatives, including healthcare and education.
The organization called for policymakers to address everyday AI-related harms such as political disinformation and financial fraud. It emphasized the need for AI systems to be evaluated in local languages and contexts.
Orodata urged investment in local research and safety testing efforts, calling on international donors and tech companies to support such initiatives. It recommended that Nigerian CSOs be included in international AI safety networks to ensure representation of Global South perspectives.
On regulation, Orodata proposed tiered liability for AI developers and users, stressing that developers should ensure structural safety and adequate testing. Automated systems should maintain human oversight, especially in critical areas like social welfare and legal interventions.
For non-profits, Orodata suggested five internal controls, including auditing AI applications and securing data. The organization emphasized the need for Nigeria to proactively protect against AI-related risks, advocating for democratic rights and social justice while embracing technological benefits.
Orodata concluded by urging CSOs to demand stronger data protection and local technical capacities, highlighting the importance of active advocacy to influence global AI governance.