Mitigating hate speech in Nigeria: The possibilities of artificial intelligence

Abstract

Hate speech has become a global concern. Nations worldwide in one way or another have to grapple with the enormous problem of this phenomenon, which is predominantly perpetrated through new media or online media platforms. In Nigeria, the situation is such that governments at the federal and state levels have continued to express concern over the growing wave of hate speech in the country. While technology propels this phenomenon, technology may just be the solution. Technology has no doubt continued to offer humanity several possibilities to better human existence. Increasingly, it is becoming an indispensable part of the daily life of individuals. The mobile phone, for instance, is used as a typewriter, a calculator, a calendar, a time piece, a communication system, an interactive database, a decision-support system and much more. In recent times, the insatiable drive for technology has reached a point where devices act intelligently. These intelligent systems are rapidly developing for use to enhance human endeavours. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, driven by big data, are fuelling unprecedented changes in many facets of human endeavours. Many achievements using AI techniques surpass human capabilities. If machines can recognise speech and transcribe it – just like typists did in the past – if computers can accurately identify faces or fingerprints from among millions, cars drive themselves and robots fight wars, among other remarkable things, there is no doubt there would be a way round the complex challenge of hate speech. Therefore, this study examines the inherent possibilities of AI for mitigating hate speech in Nigeria.