CIPM and UNILAG lead conversation on ethical AI adoption and the future of work

The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM) has called for the responsible adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing the need to balance innovation with ethics, accountability, and human-centred values as the technology continues to reshape the world of work.

The call was made at the CIPM 3rd International Academic Conference, organised in collaboration with the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, University of Lagos, under the theme: “Artificial Intelligence in Academia, Industry and Government: Navigating Ethics, Innovation and Impact.”

Speaking at the conference, President and Chairman of the Governing Council of CIPM, Mallam Ahmed Ladan Gobir, FCIPM, fnli, said the conversation around AI should no longer focus on whether the technology will transform society, but on how stakeholders can guide that transformation responsibly.

According to him, innovation without ethics and technology without accountability can be dangerous, making it imperative for organisations and institutions to ensure that human dignity, fairness, transparency, inclusion, and responsibility remain at the centre of AI adoption.

Mallam Gobir emphasized that despite rapid technological advancements, people remain the driving force behind successful organisations.

“Algorithms do not build trust. People build trust. Machines do not create culture. People create culture,” he said, adding that organisations thrive not because they possess the most advanced technology, but because they have the right people with the right skills, mindset, and values.

Delivering the keynote address, Prof. Sunday Adebisi described AI as “the world’s new infrastructure,” noting that it has evolved beyond being a workplace tool to becoming a major force shaping learning, production, governance, and communication.

While acknowledging the immense opportunities AI presents, he warned that Africa faces significant challenges that could limit its ability to maximise the technology’s benefits. These include inadequate digital infrastructure, ICT skills gaps, regulatory concerns, ethical issues, and disparities in access to technology.

Prof. Adebisi noted that if these challenges are not addressed, AI adoption could worsen employment concerns across the continent.

Another keynote speaker, Mr. Henry Onukuba, FCIPM, described AI as one of the most transformative developments of the modern era, capable of revolutionising service delivery, productivity, and access to knowledge.

According to him, the critical issue facing institutions is no longer whether to adopt AI, but how to integrate it responsibly without compromising fairness, accountability, public trust, and human dignity.

Mr. Onukwuba highlighted AI’s potential to democratise access to education and bridge information gaps, noting that students in remote communities can now access the same information available to their counterparts in major urban centres.

He further observed that AI-powered learning environments could help address faculty shortages in Nigerian universities and improve educational outcomes.

“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,” he stated.

Chairman of the Academic Conference and Head of the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, University of Lagos, Prof. Oluseyi Shadare, ACIPM, described the conference theme as timely and relevant given the rapid advancements associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

He noted that while AI is creating opportunities for innovation, competitiveness, and knowledge creation, it is also raising concerns around employment displacement, privacy, inequality, and the responsible use of technology.

According to him, addressing these challenges requires stronger collaboration among academia, industry, and government to build AI systems that are innovative, transparent, fair, and human-centred.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, OON, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Abdul-Hameed Sulaimon, commended CIPM and the Department of Employment Relations and Human Resource Management for organising the conference and urged participants to apply the lessons learned in their respective organisations and institutions.

The conference also recognised outstanding research contributions. Out of 47 abstracts submitted by researchers and scholars, 38 papers advanced to the full paper presentation stage following a rigorous review process.

At the end of the exercise, Dr. Aramide Kuforiji emerged as the overall best researcher, while Prof. Sam Bodunrin and Dr. Ifeanyi Enukorah secured second and third positions, respectively.

The awards underscored the conference’s commitment to promoting academic excellence, innovation, research integrity, and evidence-based contributions to the advancement of human resource management and the future of work.

As the conference ended, one message resonated strongly across all sessions: Artificial Intelligence may shape the future, but people will determine its impact. The challenge before academia, industry, and government is not merely to adopt AI, but to guide its development and application in ways that uphold human dignity, drive innovation, and create a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.