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From Bamigbola Gbolagunte, Akure
A former vice-chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, has warned professionals, especially those in the health sector, against total reliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in their day-to-day professional activities.
Prof Ogundipe, who is the Pro Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Ede, Osun State, gave the warning while delivering the seventh convocation lecture of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, on Thursday.
Ogundipe, a world-class scientist who spoke on the lecture entitled “Adapting to the AI-driven future of medicine: educating, equipping and leading Nigeria’s health workforce for emerging clinical realities”, observed that many professionals now rely absolutely on AI, a development he condemned.
He noted that AI has its own flaws, hence the need for medical professionals and others not to rely absolutely on it, stressing that “as fascinating and useful as AI is, it nevertheless has drawbacks and risks, particularly in the medical industry.”
“We cannot entirely rely on machines to make large judgments. We need to understand the risks and how to mitigate them. We must approach AI with both ambition and humility,” Ogundipe stressed.
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He explained that “Artificial Intelligence is a computer system that can do tasks that normally require human intelligence. These are powerful, yet not perfect tools. Their outputs are determined by the data on which they are trained, the assumptions made in their design and the environment in which they are utilised.”
The don therefore emphasised that the ethical principles of fairness, transparency, accountability and respect for persons must guide every stage while using AI.
Addressing the gathering, Ondo State Governor Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa assured of his administration’s commitment to the growth and development of the university, adding that his government will continue to invest in education, research and innovation, especially in the health sector, as part of its agenda for human capital development.
He encouraged the graduating students of the university to explore opportunities for research, innovation and entrepreneurship in healthcare, saying that “the world is changing rapidly, and the future belongs to those who can combine knowledge with creativity and integrity to solve real-world problems.”
In her speech, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, said the university has made significant progress in the 11 years since its establishment, even as she called for the support of all and sundry for the development of the institution.
