Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has emphasized the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing fundamental challenges in Nigeria’s electoral system.
He noted the potential of AI to minimize human error and improve transparency in the electoral system.
Daily News 24 reports that Gov. Yusuf said this during the 5th Social Influencers Summit in Kano, organized by the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD).
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The governor, represented by Alhaji Usman Bala, Special Adviser on State Affairs, discussed how AI could help tackle electoral issues.
“In light of these challenges, the emergence of AI offers a promising opportunity to tackle many of the longstanding problems in our electoral process,” he said.
Governor Yusuf stressed that AI can enhance the efficiency of electoral procedures.
He stated, “By automating sensitive tasks like vote counting, AI can help eliminate avenues for corruption and curb the influence of unscrupulous actors.”
He also highlighted AI’s cost advantages compared to traditional methods.
“Through digitizing voter registration, real-time data analysis, and automated vote tabulation, we can ensure elections are more accurate, efficient, and transparent,” he pointed out.
However, he cautioned against potential abuses of AI, warning, “AI-driven surveillance can be weaponized to target political opponents and suppress dissent, and AI-powered misinformation, such as bots and deep fakes, poses a serious threat to the integrity of the electoral process.”
In his remarks, the Executive Director of CITAD, Malam Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, called for public discussions on AI’s impact on elections.
“It’s crucial to initiate discussions on AI’s role in elections to guide future decisions. We’ve just had general elections, and many issues remain unresolved. AI could help address these questions,” he noted.
