ARCON hints at moderating use of AI in ad content
The Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, hinted that the body is considering moderation of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the production of advertisements. Fadolapo noted that some of the contents and elements of AI are alien to Nigeria’s market and culture. He spoke in Lagos […]
The Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, hinted that the body is considering moderation of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the production of advertisements.
Fadolapo noted that some of the contents and elements of AI are alien to Nigeria’s market and culture.
He spoke in Lagos at a seminar tagged “Harnessing Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Advertising Education and Professional Excellence in Nigeria.”
Stakeholders in the industry, policymakers and students gathered at the event to rub minds and bridge the gap between the academics and professionals in the industry.
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The DG, while making some interventions shortly after the panel discussion, insisted that AI contents are beyond mere computer-generated images, saying there are many issues around the tool which will require moderation by the ARCON.
“So, what we have said is that some of the things contained in the tool, AI, have to be moderated. They must resonate with our people. You can’t just generate an Ad that does not sink with our culture. It’s beyond computer generated images.
“This we have said before and we are saying it again. So, if you are saying you want to use the AI, what if the AI or the advertisement generated by the AI contradicts the code, or the model being used there? There are issues around AI; even the copyright issue.
“So, there is no way we will not moderate the use of AI. It’s more than computer-generated images,” the DG said.
The chairman of the occasion and Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Kashere, Professor Umaru Pate, applauded the ARCON for organising the seminar which he said offered mass communication students a practical exposure to the development in the industry.
Pate, a communication scholar, said Nigeria cannot afford to have a digitally equipped industry with analogue-trained students.
“That will be too dangerous for us,” Pate said.
Major highlights of the event were the presentation of Advertising Industry Journal and an advertising pitch competition among students from selected institutions in Nigeria which focused on the effects of drug abuse.
Participants were drawn from University of Ilorin, Covenant University, Lagos State University, Ebonyi State University, Rivers State University and Federal University of Kashere.
In the end, Covenant University emerged as the winner with 440 points, defeating University of Ilorin, in second position with 427 points, while Lagos State University (LASU) came third with 383 points.