By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin

A Kwara-based non-profit organisation, the Pristine SACC Education and Technology Initiative, has emphasised the need for students to balance AI tools with human creativity.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Aisha Umar who stated this in Ilorin, Kwara state capital during the launch of campaign to promote responsible use of AI tools among students in the state said this became imperative in view of the growing adoption of Artificial Intelligence, AI-powered tools in the education sector.

Umar explained that with the rapid rise in the adoption of AI tools by secondary school students, there was the need to educate and guide them on the ethical and safe usage of the AI technologies.

According to her, the project was inspired and supported by Tactical Tech’s.

“Everywhere, All the Time” creative digital literacy intervention that was designed to cultivate the capacity of young people to ask critical questions about how technology impacts their lives, their communities and the planet, and guide them on how to navigate the digital world.

“Our goal is to ensure that the next generation of leaders understands not only the capabilities of AI but also its ethical implications. Our organisation remains committed to promoting an educational environment where students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving technological landscape responsibly and ethically,” Umar added.

Following the launch of the campaign, a team from Pristine SACC had so far visited seven schools within Ilorin, where it engaged and equipped over 500 students with the knowledge and skills to harness AI responsibly.

Some teachers across the seven schools expressed strong support for the initiative as they highlighted their concerns about students’ increasing dependence on AI tools for completing their school assignments.

“With this intervention, students will now understand the importance of balancing AI use with their efforts,” one of the teachers said.

Mr. Abdullah AbdulRahman, who is the organisation’s Partnerships Manager, said during the outreach, “the students were introduced to the fundamentals of AI and its growing role in everyday life. The sessions emphasized the importance of integrating human creativity and intelligence with AI tools, rather than becoming overly reliant on them.

“This approach ensures that students continue to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential in an AI-driven future. We are optimistic about the programme’s impact in shaping a future where technology serves society responsibly.”

AbdulRahman further disclosed that his organisation was seeking partnerships with relevant government agencies, local and international organisations to expand the initiative and reach more students.

“Our goal is to reach more students and schools, scaling the impact of this project. We aim to raise a generation that can responsibly utilize artificial intelligence for enhanced efficiency, rather than becoming overly dependent on it,” he stated.