By Ononye VC
The Archbishop of Onitsha and Metropolitan of Onitsha Ecclesiastical Province,Most Rev Valerian Okeke has urged social media users to apply use of Artificial Intelligence with caution and sense of responsibility.
The Archbishop spoke through the Chancellor of the Archdiocese,Very Rev Fr Dr Prudentius Emeka Aroh who represented him at a seminar of the Onitsha Archdiocesan Communication Week held on Friday at the Shanahan Complex main Auditorium,Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity,Onitsha.
The Archbishop pointed out that the world could be in danger if Artificial Intelligence is used recklessly,adding that it could cause war and divisions among nations and individuals.
He acknowledged that their are good aspects of AI which if applied properly,can help in development and upliftment of humanity and urged those who have not acquired the technology to do so to avoid wallowing in ignorance.
The theme of this year’s (2024) Communication Week is,”Artificial Intelligence and the Wisdom of the Heart: Towards a fully Human Communication”.
In their introductory remarks,the Anambra State Commissioner for Information Sir Paul Nwosu,commended the Archdiocese for holding the Communication Week.He pointed out that communication started with creation and that it has played major role in modern civilisation.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Independence was achieved through the instrumentality of the media and traced the evolution of communication many years back.
Also speaking the Father of the Day,Engr (Sir)Ikem Osanakpo urged social media users to draw a line on what is good or bad in use of the gadgets and content.
He posed a question whether the social media has become a threat to journalism and cautioned that professionalism matters a lot in application and use of Artificial Intelligence in journalism.
One of the resource persons,Rev Fr Felix Odibe pointed out that AI has permeated into all aspects of life,pointing out that much as it brought some benefits,it also brought some ethical concerns of invading people’s privacy and confidentiality.
Other resource persons who spoke on various topics about the advantages and disadvantages of Artificial Intelligence are,Rev Fr Dr Martin Anusi,Mr Christopher Ejeziem and Dr Marcel Mbamalu.
In his remarks,the Director of Social Communications Archdiocese of Onitsha,Rev Fr Dr George Adimike thanked the resource persons for sparing time to prepare the lectures and deliver them and also to all the priests,religious,organisations,schools and societies for attending.
Fr Adimike also thanked the sponsors of the seminar and dignitaries who spared no effort in making the seminar successful.
