The Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Temidayo Ogundiran, on Saturday, urged researchers to exercise caution when using Artificial Intelligence.
Prof. Ogundiran also called on researchers to incorporate citizenship into their work by prioritising integrity, truthfulness, and adherence to high ethical standards that align with international best practices.
Speaking at the conclusion of a three-month training programme organised by the Centre for Bioethics and Research in Lagos, which involved 22 researchers from higher institutions across Nigeria, Ogundiran emphasised that research drives societal progress and urged researchers to avoid plagiarism, falsification, and fabrication— practices he termed as the “three cardinal sins” of research.
Discussing the role of technology in research, he acknowledged the benefits of AI but stressed the importance of responsible usage.
He said, “I am not downplaying the importance of AI as a tool for technological advancement or research utility. However, I am advocating for its responsible use to ensure it does not hinder academic or research progress, robustness, or integrity. AI is a tool — a means to an end, not an end in itself.”
Ogundiran added that researchers should use AI critically and ethically, ensuring it does not erode critical thinking or the originality of their work.
“AI generates pre-existing information, but researchers are expected to generate new ideas. They should not accept AI-generated outputs unquestioningly without applying their intellectual capabilities.”
The training focused on the responsible conduct of research, aimed at strengthening researchers’ capacity to adhere to ethics and established guidelines.
Ogundiran also urged researchers to avoid the pitfalls of plagiarism, falsification, and data fabrication, while advocating collaboration to enhance the quality of their work.
The Programme Administrator at the Centre, Mr. Segun Adeyemo, called on the government to improve research funding. He highlighted challenges such as inadequate funding, limited access to materials, poor infrastructure, and poverty as obstacles to effective research in the country.
Adeyemo said, “Given the importance of research in national growth and development, the government must prioritise increased funding. For instance, the COVID-19 vaccine resulted from research, underscoring the critical need for financial investment in research. With adequate funding, qualitative decisions that improve lives can be made.”
He added that the Centre’s training seeks to ensure researchers adhere to the highest ethical standards, enabling their work to compete favourably on a global scale.
The Programme Coordinator, Mr. Olusola Adeyemo, encouraged the participants of the three-month diploma programme to serve as ambassadors of responsible research practices within their institutions.
Adeyemo said, “The Centre advocates for integrity in research to preserve trust between researchers and the public. Participants must avoid academic fraud and ensure they steer clear of the three cardinal sins of plagiarism, falsification, and fabrication. They are now better equipped to spread this message to their colleagues.”
He noted that the Centre, established by Prof. Clement Adebamowo, now based in the United States, was created to empower researchers with the knowledge and skills necessary to produce reliable and impactful research outcomes beneficial to academia and society.
PUNCH
