...proposes five bills on AI, blockchain, robotics, drones, and spatial computing
Nelson NseAbasi
The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has commenced consideration of a comprehensive Emerging Technologies Legislative Framework aimed at positioning the state for the next phase of digital innovation, technological advancement and economic development.
The proposed framework comprises five bills covering Artificial Intelligence; Blockchain and Web3; Edge Computing and the Internet of Things; Autonomous Robotics and Precision Drones; and Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality and Spatial Computing.
The bills, which are sponsored by the member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. (Engr.) Uduak-Obong Ekpo-Ufot,are designed to establish a legal and regulatory foundation for the responsible adoption and development of emerging technologies in the state, in line with applicable federal laws and the mandates of relevant regulatory institutions.
The framework is anchored on six strategic objectives:responsible innovation, digital sovereignty, protection of fundamental rights, economic development, local capacity building and transformation of government administration.
According to the Etinan lawmaker,these objectives seek to create an enabling environment for technological innovation while protecting citizens, businesses and public institutions from emerging digital threats. They also aim to strengthen the state's capacity to attract investment, create jobs, develop local technology expertise and deploy digital solutions across critical sectors, including education, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure and public administration.
Speaking on the proposed legislation, Hon. Ekpo-Ufot said the bills were not intended to restrict technological advancement but to ensure that the state could harness its benefits responsibly.
“These set of bills do not attempt to legislate against technology, but rather legislate for responsible technology. We are not simply protecting Akwa Ibom State from technology, but are preparing our dear state to benefit economically from technology by building the legislative foundation and legal infrastructure for the next generation of our physical and digital economy,” he said.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Science and Technology explained that emerging technologies were increasingly extending beyond conventional computing and telecommunications, with artificial intelligence influencing decision-making, blockchain transforming digital transactions and trusted records, and the Internet of Things connecting physical infrastructure.
He added that robotics and drones were expanding autonomous operations, while augmented reality, virtual reality and spatial computing were creating new digital environments.
According to him, although these developments present significant economic and developmental opportunities, they also introduce risks that require appropriate legislative safeguards.
Such risks, he noted, include cyberattacks, privacy violations, digital fraud, vulnerabilities in connected infrastructure, unauthorised data exploitation, digital impersonation, unlawful surveillance, unsafe drone operations and the exploitation of cultural and public digital assets.
Hon. Ekpo-Ufot further disclosed that upon completion of the legislative process, including second reading, public hearing and passage into law, the framework could position Akwa Ibom as a leading subnational jurisdiction in Nigeria for responsible technological innovation, digital security, technology entrepreneurship and inclusive digital transformation.
He said the overarching ambition was to move the state beyond being a consumer of emerging technologies to becoming a developer, adopter and regulator of, as well as an exporter of, technology-enabled solutions.
The proposed bills are available for public review on the Etinan State Constituency website at https://etinansc.com/legislative-matters.
The website makes it possible for members of the public, technology professionals, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders are invited to study the bills and submit comments and recommendations ahead of the public hearing at a later date of which will be announced in due course.
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