Religious Groups Raise Alarm Over AI Exploitation for Anti-Religious Agendas

A coalition of religious bodies in Nigeria, operating under the banner of the Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence (NRCAI), has issued a warning about the increasing deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to undermine religious doctrines and propagate unfounded theories that doubt the existence of God. The coalition, which includes representatives from the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN) and Jamiatul Nasril Islam (JNI), shared these concerns during a media training event in Lagos on Monday.

The training session, which took place concurrently across various locations in the country, featured a South-west edition in Oyo State, organized by the CCN–Institute of Church and Society, with financial backing from the Future of Life Institute in the United States.

"Deliberate misinformation"

Evans Onyemara, the General Secretary of the CCN, expressed the coalition's alarm over what appears to be a concerted effort to disseminate false information through AI technologies. He noted that young Nigerians, who form a significant portion of the nation's population and are adept at using technology, are particularly susceptible to these targeted campaigns.

"Given their proficiency with technology and AI, it becomes evident that this is a strategic campaign aimed at discrediting one religion in favour of another. This must not be allowed to gain momentum," Onyemara stated.

He further suggested that this trend might be linked to a resurgence of traditional faiths and practices, especially observable in certain regions of the country.

"AI cannot replace God"

Kolade Fadahunsi, the Director of the CCN–Institute of Church and Society, stressed that while AI presents numerous opportunities, its application should not lead to the distortion of local religious customs and cultural traditions. He emphasized that AI, being a creation, cannot substitute for God.

"Therefore, it should be utilized to foster order, not to instigate chaos. Religious perspectives must not be misrepresented," Fadahunsi commented.

Philip Jakpor, the executive director of the Renevlyn Development Initiative, cautioned that Africa faces a risk of cultural erosion if it does not proactively guide the development and application of AI in ways that respect its religious and cultural values. Jakpor pointed out that existing AI systems often draw from datasets that favor Western perspectives, potentially marginalizing indigenous cultures.

Africa missing in AI race

Jakpor highlighted that while nations like the United States and China are making substantial investments in AI, Africa's involvement remains minimal. He attributed this to inadequate infrastructure, a lack of sufficient local data, and the high costs associated with implementing AI technologies.

He also expressed disappointment regarding the Nigerian government's perceived failure to involve faith-based organizations in policy discussions concerning AI regulation and deployment.

Jakpor urged media professionals to enhance their capabilities in reporting on AI and religion, diligently verify claims, and encourage Nigerians to collaboratively develop AI solutions that align with national interests and cultural norms.

During the training, Vennesa Adie and Tope Oluwaleye conducted sessions focusing on reporting AI and religion, alongside providing guidance on the use of AI tools.