Kumasi: Dr. Marcel Moritz, an Associate Professor of Public Law at the University of Lille in France, has called for comprehensive legal regulations on Artificial Intelligence (AI), underscoring the urgent need to address concerns of fairness, bias, and liability. He emphasized that such regulations are necessary as technology increasingly integrates into everyday life, with humans being the direct beneficiaries of these advancements.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Moritz stressed that while AI brings innovation and convenience, it also raises pressing legal issues that must not be overlooked. He was speaking at the 6th Eminent Legal Scholars and Lawyers Public Lecture Series organized by Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Faculty of Law in Kumasi. The Associate Law Professor highlighted the legal ambiguity surrounding AI, particularly concerning the origin and integrity of the data used to train and feed these systems.
Delivering on the topic 'The New Challenges of European AI Law: Insights for Africa's AI Landscape', Dr. Moritz stated that the challenges posed by AI are global and not limited to any particular country. "We have the same challenges all around the world. It is just that we are now discovering them because we are using AI more. We need to find solutions to mitigate the risks. AI is not magical. It uses databases to create results. If the data contain inaccuracies, the results will be poor. People must be aware of that," he cautioned.
The lecture provided insights into recent European developments, referencing two separate AI regulations: one from the Council of Europe with a human rights-based approach, and another from the European Union, which was business-centered. According to Dr. Moritz, these regulations were adopted last year and could serve as inspiration for other countries to tackle the legalities in the artificial intelligence space.
Professor Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, stressed the need for responsible regulation to ensure that AI systems do not compromise human rights, dignity, or the rule of law. She encouraged higher learning educational institutions to champion the development of ethical AI technologies that align with human rights and societal values. "There is the need for robust legal frameworks to ensure that technology serves society and communities in a more ethical and responsible manner. As a higher education institution, we must ensure that the ethical AI technologies and practices we submit align with human rights and societal values."
Prof. Dickson mentioned that Ghana is already taking bold steps towards this goal through the development of a National AI Strategy, an initiative assisted by the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) at KNUST.
