The Deputy Speaker, Thomas Tayebwa, has urged students using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in inventing projects and programmes to focus its usage on academics saying its dangers are imminent.
Tayebwa made this call while opening the 15th Higher Education Institutions Exhibition on AI at Mbarara District headquarters in Kamukuzi Division.
He said there are already glaring cases of AI misuse that should guide students while developing projects and programmes as witnessed during the Mbarara exhibition.
“In the 2020 elections of USA, there is a company which was accused of determining the outcomes of the elections. The company used data from Facebook to determined 5,000 character traits of people using Facebook and started using customised adverts to undermine the then government in power,” said Tayebwa.
He cited a story of a one Singh Jaswant who was spurred on by intimate conversations with an avatar named Sarai to kill the then Queen of England in 2023.
“What you consume in your life is important. I advocate that you only use AI for educational purposes so that it transforms your lives; if you ask it a wrong question it will lead you on a wrong journey,” said Tayebwa.
Kampala International University (KIU) was among the standout exhibitors, presenting cutting-edge AI-driven projects, including a rescue robot, a smart bin, and self-help AI tools designed to enhance education and everyday life. The university’s exhibition demonstrated its commitment to technological advancement and academic excellence.
Assoc. Prof. Eric Mabonga, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Western Campus) of KIU, reaffirmed the university’s dedication to innovation. “As we celebrate 25 years of quality education under the theme #ExploringTheHeights, KIU continues to push the boundaries of knowledge and technology. Our innovations reflect our dedication to shaping the future of education in Uganda and beyond,” Mabonga stated.
He encouraged students to embrace emerging technologies and leverage them for personal and professional growth. “In this rapidly evolving digital landscape, we must harness AI and other emerging technologies to improve education outcomes and enhance our competitiveness in the global economy,” he added.
The NCHE Executive Director, Prof. Mary Okwakol said the annual exhibition is the council’s top calendar event, where they get to disseminate information on higher education as well as interacting with students, education leaders and policy makers.
“We have been here since Monday in a conference where we got to engage with stakeholders,” Okwakol said.
