Lubango — Cognitive dependence and the manipulation of public opinion through misinformation are some of the negative impacts that computer science experts have identified in Angolan society as a consequence of the misuse and/or excessive use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Scholars in the field also point to the excessive exposure of personal data on social networks, the lack of digital literacy and critical thinking as the greatest dangers of the irresponsible use of these tools.
In their view, AI is powerful, but it is important to know that it has limitations and may be unable to handle situations that were not foreseen during its training.
In an interview with ANGOP in Lubango, academics stated that it is crucial to understand these limitations and not expect AI to be a solution to all problems.
Keep up with the latest headlines on WhatsApp | LinkedIn
They also emphasize that it is important to remember that it is only a decision support tool and not a substitute for human judgment.
From this perspective, it is considered that some cases of image, voice and even video manipulation that emerge in Angolan society are "an alert" to the need to educate citizens about technologies and their use.
According to the main researcher in computer science at Mandume Ya Ndemufayo University (UMN), Alberto Wapota, the responsible use of AI requires prior critical thinking, as the greatest danger is not AI as such, but its unconscious "consumption" which results in the manipulation of public opinion, misinformation, the misuse of images and personal identity, generating cognitive dependence, as well as the loss of critical thinking.
For Wapota, AI is not perfect and is even artificial, as it simulates human intelligence, which is why all care is necessary when using it, avoiding the exposure of images and personal data, especially those of children, in order to maintain personal integrity and safety.
"Angola has human resources capabilities in place, despite still having difficulties with the infrastructural resources for adequate AI processing, but this does not stop us from moving forward and using the tool responsibly", he added.
In turn, computer engineer Evaldo Chindele highlighted the need to train people in the use of AI, to learn how to use such a tool in a safe, ethical and responsible way, both for work and study.
The university professor also recommends using private profiles as much as possible, avoiding publishing documents, locations, exposing intimate or sensitive photos, as precautions to take when sharing data on social networks.
He warned that AI should be seen as a support tool and not as a substitute for critical thinking, as only humans still have this capacity.
AI specialist, Abel Zacarias, highlighted that the use of this resource has revolutionized society in almost all sectors, however there is a need to reflect on the consequences that can be devastating for the community, in case of misuse.
The university professor explained that AI algorithms are able to "perceive", through the use of social networks, what people like to see, providing similar content, effortlessly, as well as pleasure to the individual, attracting them for longer.
"We are in a century in which there is great development in science and technology, which is why it is necessary for people to master the correct use of these tools, training people to have related literacy.
Legislative measures in the pipeline
Angola is moving forward with specific legislation on Artificial Intelligence (AI), with the Ministry of Telecommunications (MINTTICS) having already presented a proposed law on AI, generally approved by the National Assembly, which provides for fines of up to 1.5 billion kwanzas and imprisonment of up to 12 years for misuse of data.
The focus is on ethics, privacy and responsibility, with sanctions for fake accounts and the spread of misinformation, in addition to reviewing the Data Protection Law to align with technological advances and the African AI Strategy, aiming for a robust regulatory framework.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
Angola aligns with the African Union's AI Strategy, which guides Member States to create appropriate legal frameworks for challenges such as data protection and intellectual property.
In short, Angola is building a complete regulatory ecosystem for AI, combining specific laws, reviews of existing standards and national strategies to balance innovation and protection.
Experts advise that understanding the limitations of AI and data verification is critical to the accuracy of individual predictions and decisions.
It is also known that inaccurate or outdated data can lead to inaccurate results, which can be especially problematic, especially in the financial sector.
Data privacy and security, transparency, unconscious bias, which can lead to unfair or inaccurate decisions, regulatory compliance (laws), training and education, continuous monitoring, long-term planning, and partnering with AI experts can help mitigate negative impacts from using these tools. MS/IZ/DOJ
