We Need To Understand AI Before Regulation – RAIL Director To Policymakers

The Scientific Director of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL), Prof Jerry John Kponyo, has called for an adequate understanding of the development cycle and workings of Artificial Intelligence(AI) for informed regulation.

Prof. Kponyo said, “It’s important that before we talk about regulation, we have a very good understanding of what we seek to regulate. Right from the envisioning stage to the deployment stage, there are various aspects of the development cycle of AI solutions that one needs to pay particular attention to”.

His comments come on the back of a motion in Ghana’s Parliament to regulate Artificial Intelligence.

The director has expressed worry any regulation by external bodies may hamper creativity but believes self-regulation by actors will be beneficial.

“I would prefer we self-regulate rather than be regulated by an external body. The fear of external regulation is the stifling of creativity and becoming an obstacle as far as the positives of AI are concerned.

“Right from the envisioning stage to the deployment stage, they’ll make sure they apply principles with regards to AI solutions to ensure AI deployment is responsible,” he pointed out.

He indicated that RAIL had developed a framework that serves as a basis for determining whether an AI solution is beneficial.

He urged actors in the AI space to familiarize themselves with the framework and other valuable frameworks.

He was speaking at the maiden Africa AI conference in Kigali, Rwanda, on June 14.