UNILAG VC Cautions Against Replacing Human Thinking with AI

By Adegbuyi Fathia

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos( UNILAG), Professor Folashade Ogunsola, has cautioned educators and students against the over reliance on Artificial Intelligence (AI), stressing the need to preserve logical thinking and critical judgment.

Ogunsola advocated for this at the second plenary session of the 8th Research and Innovation Fair of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

The fair themed, “National Development through Artificial Intelligence-Driven Research and Innovation,” Ogunsola’s presentation centered on the sub-theme “Opportunities, Risks and Ethical use of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Research”.

She recognised the contribution and revolutionary power of AI in teaching and research but also added the societal, educational and ethical risks that comes with it.

She noted the potential of AI to improve learning outcomes by citing a World Bank supported project, involving 800 first year senior secondary students in Edo state which reportedly produced learning gains equivalent to about two years of traditional instruction in two weeks.

However, she warns that irresponsible or excessive use of the technology could undermine its benefits.

“All of us must be very careful and ensure that we use AI as an assistant, not that we cede our brains to AI,” she said.

Ogunsola added its risks, which includes job displacement, privacy breaches, academic dishonesty and ceding cognitive and analytic ability of students to AI, adding how convincing and fabricated its generated response can be, making critical evaluation and verification an essential skills for both students and faculties.

She called for a clear institutional governance structures and policy, while recommending the establishment of AI and digital governance committees with relevant stakeholders in universities to oversee risk based classification, ensure clear academic integrity, data compliance and transparency for appeal in AI-assisted decisions affecting students or staff.