Religious leaders under the Nigeria Religious Coalition on Artificial Intelligence have called on the Federal Government to establish clear regulatory guidelines for the use of Artificial Intelligence and the emerging Artificial General Intelligence, warning that unchecked development could threaten humanity, culture and spirituality.

The clerics, drawn from the Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN), and Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI, made the call during a media interface held on Tuesday at the Wesley Pastoral Centre, Yaba, Lagos.

The event was facilitated by the CCN-Institute of Church and Society, Ibadan, with support from the Future of Life Institute, United States.

The coalition urged the Federal Government to include religious leaders in the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2024, particularly under Pillar 4, which focuses on “Ensuring Responsible and Ethical AI Development.”

Speaking at the event, Director of CCN-Institute of Church and Society, Very Rev. Kolade Fadahunsi, said it would be dangerous to formulate regulations for AI and AGI without the involvement of religious leaders.

He noted that Article 4.11 of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy proposed the creation of a High-Level AI Ethics Expert Group or National AI Ethics Commission made up of stakeholders from academia, industry, government and civil society.

Fadahunsi, however, said religious leaders were conspicuously absent from the proposed group despite their role in shaping moral and ethical values in society.

According to him, the interface was convened to build the voices of religious leaders and amplify ethical concerns surrounding the spread of AGI and superintelligence.

AGI refers to a more advanced form of artificial intelligence capable of understanding, learning and applying knowledge across tasks at human or superhuman levels.

The coalition warned that while AI has useful applications, AGI poses risks to humanity, culture and young people if left unregulated.

Archbishop Adegbemi Adewale of the Methodist Church Niger, Archdiocese of RIYE, Ogun State, expressed concern over what he described as the existential threat posed by AGI.

“There should be extant laws to control what comes into our space, to protect our children,” he said.

National Treasurer of CCN, Elder Akaninyene Obot, said the pursuit of AGI was an economic activity that should not undermine Nigeria’s cultural and religious systems.

Similarly, CCN South-West Chairman, Archbishop Jeremiah Okunlola, said AGI should be responsibly designed in a manner that would not affect belief in God.

Rev. Aloche of Lagos Presbyterian Church acknowledged the usefulness of AI but warned that it could negatively affect critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving skills among young people.

Women Leader of the Methodist Church, Abuja, Nneoma Mary Onyemara, also raised concerns about the impact of AI on family relationships and social values.

“Although AI is good, it has a negative impact on bonding in the family institution. It is also promoting unhealthy competition, as young women no longer take advice from older ones,” she said.

Archbishop Bankole Faburoso of the Church of the Lord Worldwide described AI as “a helpful servant and dangerous master,” stressing that technology should remain under human control and guided by spiritual values.

Methodist Archbishop of Enugu, Archbishop Christopher Ede, warned that excessive reliance on AGI could lead to machines replacing humanity in critical areas of life.

“We run the risk of humanity being replaced by machines. Tools are beginning to replace souls,” he said.

According to him, AGI without spirituality could worsen inequality and create security threats, making ethical monitoring necessary.

In his closing remarks, General Secretary of CCN, Bishop Evans Onyemara, said the coalition would continue to advocate for policies regulating AI and educate congregations on both the benefits and dangers of the technology.

He added that clerics had a responsibility to uphold values rooted in conscience, compassion and stewardship of God’s creation.

Onyemara also said the coalition planned to escalate its advocacy to the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, to broaden engagement with the Federal Government on possible AI regulatory frameworks.

“We are all concerned about safeguarding the future of our children, and we shall continue to do our best to see that AI and AGI will not overtake them and their future,” he said. (The Nation)