Conference Agenda

Study Motivation: The primary motivation for this study is to address the scarcity of scientific data on the factors influencing ethical AI practices among tech startups in Lagos State. The main research question is: What factors influence the ethical application of AI among tech startups in Lagos State?

Study Objectives: The study aims to establish the nature and effectiveness of AI governance frameworks, explore the impact of stakeholder engagement, and assess the value of technological enablers for ethical AI practices among tech startups in Lagos State, Nigeria. Understanding these factors is crucial as tech startups are at the technological frontier of AI and significantly influence societies and economies.

Methodology: The study employs a mixed-method approach, combining qualitative and quantitative strategies for data collection and analysis. Surveys and interviews with stakeholders, including startup founders, policymakers, and technology experts, provide comprehensive insights into the determinants of ethical AI practices.

Findings: The findings reveal that robust AI governance frameworks and active stakeholder engagement are pivotal in promoting ethical AI practices. Additionally, the existing technological infrastructure plays a critical role, either facilitating or hindering the ethical deployment of AI. The study highlights that while Lagos State has a burgeoning tech ecosystem, there is an urgent need for well-defined ethical guidelines and regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible AI use.

Policy implications: This research emphasize the need for policymakers to develop comprehensive AI governance structures and encourage stakeholder collaboration to foster ethical AI practices. The study advocates for continuous monitoring and adaptation of these frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements. The conclusion underscores the necessity for ethical AI practices and provides a direction for future research, focusing on the determinants of ethical AI use in developing regions like Lagos State.

Frontier technologies, such as AI, IoT, big data, 3D printing, and robotics, are transforming socio-economic systems globally. Developing countries, including Ghana, face significant pressure to adopt these technologies to remain competitive and harness their benefits. However, challenges such as skill development, technology transfer, and regulatory frameworks need to be addressed. This study, aims to generate empirical data to inform policy formulation for technology adoption in Ghanaian firms, using 500 randomly selected firms across Ghana. The study involved a comprehensive data collection process, selecting firms from sectors such as agro-processing, tourism, pharmaceuticals, garments and textiles, and ICT, using a multi-stage sampling technique. Results show a high awareness of frontier technologies among firms but lower adoption rates, particularly for advanced technologies like industrial robots and 3D printing. Adoption is influenced by factors such as firm size, ownership structure, and sector. For instance, larger firms and sole proprietorships are more likely to adopt advanced technologies. Gender also plays a role, with female-owned firms more inclined to adopt market-oriented technologies like e-commerce. The study underscores the need for targeted policies to address barriers and promote the widespread adoption of frontier technologies in developing economies.