Despite the increasing advancement in technological innovations and their deployment to serve humanity, it is very important that ethical limitations must be maintained in the interest of consumers, who are the central focus in production and service delivery.
Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission Dr Aminu Maida drew this line of action while speaking at an event held at the NCC’s Head Office, in Abuja to mark 2024 World Consumer Right Day.
The EVC, who was represented by the Executive Commissioner, Technical Services Designate at NCC, Engr. Abraham Oshadami said the commission recognizes the important position the consumers occupy in the telecommunications ecosystem, and in a bid to uphold their important position, which continue to evolve, the commission in agreement with global trend adopted “Fair and Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the Consumer” as theme of this year’s celebration.
Maida said it is therefore essential that the application of modern technology to serve consumer must be used responsibly to guarantee consumer trust and avert possible problem.
According to the EVC, “responsible AI means using it in an ethical way throughout its development, deployment, and usage. This includes considering issues like bias, privacy, transparency, and accountability.”
Speaking specifically on various initiatives already in place to achieve the 2024 theme of the World Consumer Right Day, Dr Maida said NCC has proactively put in place consumer-centric initiatives to deal with first level complaints by telecom consumer, which include Consumer Complaints Management, the Do-not-Disturb Code 2442, and the Telecom Consumer Assistance, Resolution and Enquiries.
He also noted that part of the efforts in this direction was the harminised short codes recently released to access services across all Networks.
As member of global community, the NCC boss therefore told stakeholders that the Commission is affirming that the theme of this year will be an integral part of its’ activities considering that AI is a force that is shaping the future in profound ways.
“Our continuous resolve to Protect, Inform and Educate (PIE Mandate) the telecom consumer is unwavering, particularly as AI technologies continue to advance there is need foster innovation while safeguarding fundamental rights, values, and dignity of consumers.”
In his welcome address, the Deputy Dit, Consumer Affairs Bureau, MR Clem Omife said the commission is not unmindful of the values of telecoms consumer as king, he hinted that the Commission- is in the final process of deploying the Automated Consumer Complaints Management system, which will further expand the complaints channels and improve complaints resolutions even at First level with Service Providers.