The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has called for the development of fair and responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) that will seek to protect consumers.
Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Commission, Dr Aminu Maida, said this in his remarks at the 2024 World Consumer Rights Day, held at the NCC Headquarters, Abuja.
Maida was represented at the event by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services Designate at NCC, Mr Abraham Oshadami.
The NCC EVC said consumers are the most important part of any business, and their protection is of utmost importance.
He stated that the World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated on every 15th of March to raise awareness about the rights of consumers worldwide and protect them from unfair trade practices.
The NCC boss traced the history of World Consumer Rights Day back to 1962 with the introduction of four basic consumer rights by President John F. Kennedy in his speech to the US Congress.
“These rights included the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose, the right to be heard,” he added.
Maida said, consistent with the consumer rights, as espoused by the late American president, NCC has over the years kept faith with the date to highlight the important position the telecom consumers occupy in the telecommunications ecosystem in Nigeria.
This, he said was in order to uphold the rights of consumer which have evolved over the years with additional new consumer rights.
The rights, he added, include right to privacy, the right to quality of service, right to timely redress, right to action on disputed charges, right to fair complaint process and right to accurate billing.
“The Commission, in alignment with the global trend, adopted the theme for this years’ edition of World Consumer Rights Day as “Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Consumer”.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a phenomenon that has captured the imagination of scientists, engineers, and thinkers for decades.
“It represents the culmination of human innovation and the quest to create machines that can mimic human intelligence and problem-solving capabilities.
“AI has already made significant inroads into our lives. From voice assistants that respond to our commands to recommendation algorithms that suggest what we should watch, read, or buy, AI is all around us.
“It is driving innovation in healthcare, finance, transportation, and countless other fields.
“Conversely, with inordinate power comes great obligation. As we celebrate the advancements in AI, we must also grapple with ethical questions.
“How do we ensure that AI systems are fair and unbiased? How do we protect privacy in an age of data-driven AI? These are complex issues that require careful consideration.
““Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Consumer”. Using AI responsibly is crucial in order to guarantee consumer trust and circumvent possible problems.
“Responsible AI means using it in an ethical way throughout its development, deployment, and usage. This includes considering issues like bias, privacy, transparency and accountability.
“According to reports, responsible AI aims to empower consumers, build trust, and minimise negative effects.
“To this effect AI developers need to be transparent about the data, algorithms, and models used in AI systems.
“This ensures that decisions made by AI can be explained and mistakes can be fixed to ensure everyone is treated fairly, regardless of their background.
“This helps prevent biased decisions or discrimination thereby promoting inclusivity and equality,” the NCC EVC asserted.
He further made it known that protecting citizens’ privacy is extremely important when using AI.
“Organisations should handle personal data responsibly, following strict privacy regulations. Respecting privacy builds trust in AI systems.
“Responsible AI requires mechanisms for holding systems accountable and explaining their decisions.
“Consumers should understand how AI systems work and have a way to address issues or biases,” Maida declared.
Also in his welcome address, NCC Deputy Director (Consumer Affair’s Bureau), Mr Clem Omife, said the World Consumer Rights Day is observed and celebrated on every 15th of March.
“This day is set aside to highlight the rights of consumers and protect them from exploitation, discrimination, and other forms of unfair practices.
“At the NCC, telecom consumers are kings because they provide the major drive and essence of our activities.
“The Commission recognises the important position the consumers occupy in the telecommunications ecosystem, and therefore will continue develop and promote consumer centric initiatives aimed at ensuring that the rights of consumers are protected,” Omife added.
He assured that consumers will continue to occupy a special position in the Commission’s activities because “without the consumers, there will be no telecommunication industry.”
