KNUST Professor: Ghana Needs Urgent AI Education Guidelines

• Prof. Eric Appau Asante of KNUST advocates for practical national and institutional guidelines for AI use in education.
• Many Ghanaian universities are using AI tools like ChatGPT but lack clear policies, leading to risks like academic dishonesty and privacy breaches.
• The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) has not yet issued comprehensive national AI guidelines for tertiary education in Ghana, though calls for such frameworks are ongoing.
• Ghana can learn from countries like the UK, which has published guidance on responsible AI use, data privacy, and academic integrity.
• A national AI strategy for education, developed collaboratively, is essential to integrate AI responsibly and ethically into Ghana's educational system.

Without robust guidelines, the potential benefits of artificial intelligence in education may remain unrealized, while its inherent risks could be significantly amplified.

Professor Eric Appau Asante, who coordinates Artificial Intelligence (AI) courses at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has issued a significant call for the immediate establishment of practical national and institutional guidelines concerning the integration of AI into educational practices. His advocacy stems from a concern that without proper oversight, poorly governed technologies could become deeply embedded within teaching and learning frameworks, potentially leading to unforeseen complications.

Many universities across Ghana have already begun incorporating AI tools, such as ChatGPT, into their pedagogical approaches and learning environments. However, a critical observation made by Prof. Asante is the widespread absence of clear policies or specific guidelines from these institutions to govern the use of such advanced technologies. This lack of a defined framework creates a vacuum where the rapid adoption of AI tools proceeds without adequate consideration for their responsible deployment.

The absence of comprehensive AI education guidelines poses several substantial risks, including increased instances of academic dishonesty, potential breaches of student privacy, and significant data security vulnerabilities. Prof. Eric Appau Asante emphasized that the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), which absorbed the functions of the former National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE) in 2020, is a key regulatory body in Ghana's higher education sector. It has yet to issue any overarching national guidelines for AI integration, though calls for such frameworks are ongoing. This regulatory void underscores the urgency for a structured approach to Ghana regulating AI in schools.

To address this, Prof. Asante suggests that Ghana can draw valuable lessons from international precedents, specifically highlighting the United Kingdom's proactive stance. The UK's Department for Education published its "Generative AI in Education" guidance in March 2024, which focuses on promoting responsible AI use, safeguarding data privacy, and upholding academic integrity. This example illustrates a pathway for developing a robust AI in education policy Ghana, ensuring that the country does not confuse mere access to AI tools with genuine readiness for AI-powered education.

Beyond technical implementation, Prof. Asante stresses that AI education must encompass broader ethical, legal, and societal implications, rather than being confined solely to technological aspects. He advocates for the development of a comprehensive Ghana national AI strategy education, which he believes is crucial for ensuring the responsible and ethical integration of AI throughout the nation's educational system. This strategy should be a collaborative effort, involving key stakeholders including policymakers, educators, industry experts, and civil society representatives.

Without robust guidelines, the potential benefits of artificial intelligence in education may remain unrealized, while its inherent risks could be significantly amplified. The call for clear Ghana AI education guidelines KNUST, championed by Prof. Eric Appau Asante, underscores the imperative for a forward-thinking Kwame Nkrumah University Science Technology AI policy and a national framework that can navigate the complexities and harness the transformative power of AI responsibly for future generations.

Lawyers advising educational institutions or EdTech companies in Ghana should closely monitor the development of national and institutional guidelines for AI use in education, as these will dictate future compliance requirements and potential legal frameworks for technology integration in the sector.

Source: Original reporting via GhanaWeb