Prof. Joash Amupitan, Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, is making the case that artificial intelligence belongs in Nigeria's electoral process, not outside it. Speaking recently, the INEC chief pushed back against the growing fear that AI is a danger to democracy, arguing instead that the technology holds real potential to strengthen how elections are run in the country.
That said, Amupitan is not dismissing the risks. His position is a careful one: AI can be a force for good in elections, but its misuse, particularly around disinformation, is a serious concern that cannot be ignored. The warning about election disinformation puts the spotlight on one of the most pressing challenges facing democracies across the continent right now.
For Nigeria, a country that has seen its share of electoral controversy, the conversation around AI and elections carries extra weight. Whether INEC can harness the technology while guarding against its dangers is a question worth watching as the commission shapes its next steps.
Originally published by AllAfrica.