Prof Simon Ortuanya, the Vice-chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has advised Nigerians to exercise caution in using Artificial Intelligence
since it has its own merits and demerits.
Ortuanya gave the advice in Nsukka on Thursday in a remark while declaring open the 41st national conference of Social Studies Educationists Association of Nigeria (SOSAN) in UNN.
The theme of the conference is “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Transformative Social Studies in 21st Century”.
He said that, in as much as AI had enumerous transformative applications to revolutionalise all sectors of any country’s economy, caution should be exercised as it also had its own adverse effects when negatively applied.
“Al tools have the capacity to revolutionalise every sector of the economy especially in education sector but we should be careful in using AI as it also has its own negative effects,” he said
The VC who was represented by Prof Romanus Ezeokonkwo the Deputy Vice-chancellor Administration, described the topic of the conference as timely and apt as AI remain essential tool in teaching and learning in 21st century.
Ortuanya who assumed office on August 10 as the 16th substantive VC of UNN said social studies educationist have contributed immensely in the country,s economy especially in education development and urged the association to keep it up.
“There is no doubt the outcome of this conference will go a long way in taking social studies education to a greater height,” he said.
Speaking Prof Abdulraheem Yusuf, the National President of SOSAN said AI had permeated in every facets of the economy especially in education.
“AI will not only make social studies teaching more engaging but more transformative in shaping our students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers, responsible citizens in the ever increasing digital world.
“The outcome of this conference will help to empower our educators and prepare our students for the challenges of 21st century”, he said
The national president expressed appreciation to the VC of UNN for accepting to host SOSAN 41st national conference,
Yusuf commended the Local Organising Committee (LOC) led by Prof Okechukwu Nwaubani for the commitment and dedication of the committee that made the conference a huge success.
He also expressed gratitude to Prof Geoffrey Nji, the Dean Faculty of Education and Prof Daniel Mezieobi, Head of Department, Social Science Education in UNN for their immense contributions to the success of the conference.
In a keynote speech, Prof Christian Ezeibe, the Dean, Department of Students Affairs UNN, said AI as a tool if rightly understood and wisely applied could transform the way we teach, learn and live.
“AI is reshaping every sector from medicine to manufacturing from finance to agriculture and reshaping education in profound ways
“AI is relivant in social studies as it’s crucial to the development of civic values, cultural awareness, historic consciousness as critical thinking will remain relivant and transformative in an AI-driven world,”he said.
He said in 21st century the relivance of Social Studies could not be over stated as it is the compass that directs our national consciousness and civil engagement.
“AI is not here to replace us but to amplify our potential if we are prepared.
“We should leverage on AI not just for innovation but for transformation, equity, justice and for more informed and responsible citizenry,”he said.
Earlier in a remark, Prof.Okechukwu Nwaubani, the Chairman, LOC of SOSAN 41st national conference in UNN said the vision of the association is to build and sustain a virile strong stable Nigerian society through the teaching and learning of social studies education in schools.
“SOSAN is strongly committed to promoting the visibility and relivance of social studies education in the scheme of things in Nigeria.
“These ideals resonate the theme of this conference which says “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for the transformative social studies education in Nigeria in the 21st century.
“The topic is apt insightful and inspiring because of its relivance to the promoting of ICT in teaching social studies.
The LOC chairman expressed special appreciation to the new VC of UNN saying that the association wished him peaceful and fruitful tenure
Nwaubani commended the national president of SOSAN who led other national executives to the conference for his able leadership of the association.
Our correspondent reports that the conference was Chaired by Conerade Fidelis Ede, the Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State .
While Prof Mudasiru Yusuf presented a powerful lead paper during the conference