Regulating the privacy aspects of artificial intelligence systems in Nigeria: A primer

Emmanuel Salami, Iheanyi Nwankwo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleScientificpeer-review

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Abstract

As with the rest of the world, artificial intelligence (AI) systems, including chatbots, medical AI systems, agricultural optimisation systems, and so forth, are witnessing increased deployment in Nigeria. AI presents novel opportunities for innovation and tackling inefficiencies in several sectors of the Nigerian economy. However, its proliferation may result in a plethora of concerns if not developed and deployed within the bounds of law and ethics. Such concerns include the compromise of human rights, reinforcement of unlawful discrimination, compression of the privacy sphere of individuals, violation of the right to data protection, and so forth. This article focuses on the threats and vulnerabilities inherent in the development and deployment of AI as it impacts the right to privacy and data protection in Nigeria. These concerns have necessitated AI regulations and policies across the globe, and there is a consensus that AI systems must ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law, generally, and the right to privacy and data protection, specifically. Given data’s prominent role in the AI life cycle, it is not surprising that privacy and data protection laws provide a fertile basis for assessing AI systems’ compliance regimes. At the time of writing, Nigeria is drafting a national AI policy and has only recently passed a data protection legislation. However, Nigeria’s AI regulatory strategy has not been adequately examined from the perspective of privacy and data protection law. Therefore, this article seeks to fill this gap by exploring the tension between data protection law and the AI data processing life cycle in the Nigerian context. First, it reviews Nigeria’s AI strategy and existing data protection framework and argues that they might be inadequate to address the challenges posed by AI. The article then recommends measures for balancing privacy and AI innovations in Nigeria with global best practices. Finally, it concludes that a robust and principled approach to AI regulation is essential to safeguarding privacy and data protection rights in Nigeria.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)220-247
Number of pages28
JournalAfrican Journal on Privacy and Data Protection
Volume2024
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2024
MoEC publication typeA1 Journal article-refereed

Keywords

  • artificial intelligence
  • AI policy
  • Nigeria
  • privacy
  • data protection

Field of science

  • Law
  • Computer and information sciences

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