The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has cautioned against the unchecked adoption of artificial intelligence, warning that poor governance and inadequate regulation could expose organisations and societies to significant ethical and social risks.
The warning was issued at the third International Academic Conference organised by CIPM in collaboration with the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management at the University of Lagos.
The conference, themed “Artificial Intelligence in Academia, Industry and Government: Navigating Ethics, Innovation and Impact,” brought together experts from academia, industry and government to examine how artificial intelligence can be deployed responsibly across various sectors.
Speaking at the event, CIPM President and Chairman of its Governing Council, Mallam Ahmed Gobir, said conversations around AI must evolve beyond its technological capabilities and focus more on how it can be integrated without compromising accountability, ethics and public trust.
He warned that innovation without clear ethical standards could weaken institutions and damage public confidence if human values are sidelined.
“Algorithms do not build trust. People build trust. Machines do not create culture. People create culture,” Gobir said.
According to him, regardless of technological advancements, people remain the foundation of organisational success, and AI should be treated as a tool that supports human efforts rather than replacing them.
Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Sunday Adebisi described artificial intelligence as “the world’s new infrastructure,” noting that it is already transforming education, governance, communication and production systems globally.
However, he expressed concerns that Africa could struggle to keep pace if longstanding challenges such as inadequate digital infrastructure, shortages in ICT skills, unequal access to technology and regulatory uncertainties are not addressed.
He warned that failing to close these gaps could intensify unemployment and widen existing social and economic inequalities across the continent.
Another keynote speaker, Mr Henry Onukuba, said the debate has shifted from whether institutions should embrace AI to how they can implement it responsibly while preserving fairness and accountability.
He noted that artificial intelligence holds significant potential to expand access to education, especially for students in underserved communities, while also helping universities address shortages in academic manpower.
“AI will not take over your job. Your job will be taken over by someone who knows how to work smarter and more effectively with AI,” Onukuba said.
Chairman of the conference and Head of the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management at the University of Lagos, Prof. Oluseyi Shadare, also highlighted the dual nature of AI, describing it as both an opportunity and a challenge that requires a coordinated response from all sectors.
He said that while artificial intelligence can drive innovation and improve productivity, it also raises concerns around job displacement, privacy protection, inequality and governance.
Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Abdul-Hameed Sulaimon, commended CIPM for organising the conference and encouraged participants to apply the lessons and recommendations from the discussions within their respective institutions.
The conference also celebrated excellence in research, with 38 full papers presented following the review of 47 submitted abstracts.
Dr Aramide Kuforiji emerged as the overall best researcher, while Prof. Sam Bodunrin and Dr Ifeanyi Enukorah secured second and third positions respectively.
Participants concluded that although artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces and societies at an unprecedented pace, its long-term benefits will ultimately depend on how effectively institutions balance innovation with ethics, transparency and human-centred values.
