3 months ago
15 ARTICLE AD
Ghanaians have been advised to exercise caution when utilising Artificial Intelligence (Al) in order to prevent its adoption from infringing on the rights of marginalised groups in society.
AI is an evolving technology that tries to simulate human intelligence using machines.
The Director of World Food Programme, Mrs Barbara Clemens, said AI should be used in a manner which safeguarded human rights and protected the dignity of all citizens, particularly marginalised communities.
Mrs Clemens gave the advice at the 21st International Book Fair organised by the Ghana Publishers Association (GPA) to build the capacity of publishers and writers towards AI usage.
On the theme, ‘Books and Culture in the Era of Artificial Intelligence ,’ the event was attended by representatives of the GPA, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MoTAC), National Commission on Culture (NCC), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and various writers in the writing industry.
“Al has the potential to revolutionise our lives, but we must be cautious of its dark side. If we don’t ensure transparency and accountability in Al decision-making, we risk perpetuating biases and discrimination against already vulnerable populations,” Mrs Clemens stress.
She, therefore, called for education to create awareness in order to empower citizens, especially marginalised groups, to navigate the Al landscape effectively.
She then urged Ghanaians to be proactive in shaping the country’s Al future by ensuring it served humanity’s best interests.
For his part, the Executive Director of the NCC, Nana Otuo Owoahene Acheampong, emphasised the critical importance of AI in writing by making the work of editors easy and simple.
“It has really improved the way we go about our writing and you can do a briefing for AI to give you the basis for how to go about your work,” he indicated.
Nana Acheampong said there was the need for the GPA to build the capacity of writers towards AI usage in order to promote its effective use in book-writing.
The Executive Director further highlighted Al’s potential to enhance research capabilities, content generation, editing, and proofreading, adding that its proper usage would improve the country’s economy.
The President of the GPA, Mr Asare Konadu Yamoah, elaborating on the theme of the event, explained that it was to deepen the understanding of the “application, opportunities and challenges” of AI among professionals in the publishing industry.
He stated that AI had become topical globally and emerged as the cornerstone of innovation, adding that it was essential in reshaping the face of societies.
“Artificial intelligence can be complex and complicated if not well understood and applied. The complex nature of Al usually moves people to ask if Al is a friend or a foe to the publishing industry,“ he stated.
BY AGNES OWUSU
