From Left: Director of Information and Public Relations State House, Abiodun Oladunjoye, Managing Director News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) Ali M.Ali, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga and Director General Voice of Nigeria (VON) Jibrin Ndace, at the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing, China on Thursday.
By Chesa Chesa
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, has urged responsible and cautious use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly as political activities and campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections gather momentum.
He warned that despite the positive impact of AI on society, it had become necessary to establish safeguards to protect democratic institutions and public trust.
Onanuga made the call on Thursday in Beijing, China, while delivering a paper titled, “AI and the Future of Global Communication”, at the 7th World Media Summit organised by Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Government of Beijing Municipality.
He observed that social media platforms, including X, Facebook and TikTok, were increasingly flooded with AI-generated videos and images designed to promote political interests and provide entertainment.
“We are in the thick of the political season and campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections, where new political leaders at the national and sub-national levels will be elected. AI, for good and bad, has become a powerful tool for electoral contests for politicians and their supporters.
“Some political actors use AI to spread falsehoods, some use it satirically for entertainment, and some highlight candidates’ achievements,” he said.
The presidential aide said the growing influence of AI in political communication required greater responsibility from political actors, media organisations and members of the public in creating and sharing content.
He acknowledged AI’s significant contributions to humanity, particularly in medical innovations and major breakthroughs in mathematics, describing the technology as an indispensable tool for human development.
“Today, AI governs our existence, and we encounter it all the time. In the car, it warns you about your immediate surroundings. It maps your fastest route to your destination. We can go on, citing AI’s Leviathan impact on our lives.
“I believe we can no longer ignore AI’s penetrating impact, most of it beneficial, unless we want to return to the Stone Age,” he added.
Onanuga expressed optimism that individuals, scientists and governments, including the United Nations, were increasingly concerned about the direction of AI development and advocating necessary controls.
“The world must act before it becomes too late. Build guardrails quickly to save humanity,” he said.
