Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa has cautioned students against the dangers of Artificial Intelligence (AI), urging them to focus on its academic benefits rather than misuse.
Speaking at the opening of the 15th Higher Education Institutions Exhibition on AI at Mbarara District headquarters, Tayebwa warned that AI has already been misused in critical areas, including elections and criminal activities.
“In the 2020 U.S. elections, a company was accused of influencing results by using Facebook data to analyze 5,000 character traits of users and then targeting them with customized adverts to undermine the government in power,” he said.
He also cited the case of Singh Jaswant, who, after exchanging more than 5,000 messages with an AI avatar, attempted to assassinate the Queen of England in 2023.
“What you consume in your life is important. I advocate that you only use AI for educational purposes so that it transforms your lives; if you ask it a wrong question, it will lead you on a wrong journey,” Tayebwa added.
Despite his concerns, Tayebwa commended the exhibition, organized by the National Council for Higher Education (NCHE), for showcasing innovations that could transform education and healthcare. “I have seen innovations here aimed at improving how we learn, teach, and research. This is the kind of AI we need—technology that can help in diagnosing diseases early and detecting non-communicable diseases like cancer,” he said.
During his tour, Tayebwa tested a model bike developed by students. He also visited Ndejje University’s booth, where students demonstrated an AI-assisted irrigation system that monitors soil moisture and automatically schedules irrigation. At Uganda Martyrs University, he explored an AI-powered enrolment program designed to analyze academic trends and address issues like gender inequality.
NCHE Executive Director, Prof. Mary Okwakol, described the exhibition as a key event for higher education, allowing policymakers, educators, and students to engage.
“We have been here since Monday in a conference where we got to engage with stakeholders,” she said.
She emphasized the need for AI-related skills to meet job market demands and called on the government to develop a policy to guide AI implementation in education.
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