Embrace AI, Egbewole urges academic technologists
By Bashirat Omotosho
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has urged academic technologists to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for innovation, competence and creativity rather than viewing it as a threat.
Prof. Egbewole made this call penultimate Thursday (June 11, 2026) while declaring open the First Academic Technologists’ Distinguished Personality Lecture, held in honour of Prof. Lenrie Olatokunbo Aina, a former Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences.
Speaking on the theme, “Leveraging AI for Enhanced Competence and Creativity,” Prof. Egbewole noted that the world is witnessing a major technological transformation driven by Artificial Intelligence.
According to him, AI has become an indispensable component of modern education, research and administration, offering opportunities for improved productivity and problem-solving.
He challenged the academic technologists to continually develop relevant competencies and utilise AI responsibly to strengthen their contributions to scholarship, national development and global progress.
The Vice Chancellor further emphasised that technological advancement should not replace human ingenuity and ethical judgment. Rather, he said AI should serve as a catalyst for creativity, innovation and professional excellence.
He commended the organisers for instituting the Lecture series in honour of Prof. Aina, describing the renowned scholar’s legacy as a source of inspiration for future generations of academics and technologists.
The keynote speaker and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Prof. Joshua Olarewaju Olaoye, underscored the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence in improving the competence and creativity of academic technologists.
Presenting a paper titled “Leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Competence and Creativity: The Roles of Academic Technologists,” Prof. Olaoye described AI as a revolutionary technology reshaping education, healthcare, manufacturing, communication, governance and research.
Prof. Olaoye explained that academic technologists occupy a strategic position in modern universities as facilitators of technology integration, laboratory management, digital content development and research support.
He observed that AI offers immense opportunities for improving laboratory operations through predictive maintenance, automated monitoring, intelligent instrumentation and data-driven management systems.
He added that AI can also strengthen teaching support through virtual laboratories, adaptive learning platforms and digital instructional resources.
The Engineering scholar identified several areas where academic technologists can leverage AI to drive educational excellence, including personalised learning, smart assessment systems, virtual laboratories and simulations, and AI-powered research assistance.
Prof. Olaoye, however, cautioned against the indiscriminate use of AI, stressing that Artificial Intelligence must remain under human control and ethical supervision. He warned that AI-generated information could sometimes be inaccurate or misleading, urging users to verify outputs and exercise professional judgment.
He encouraged academic technologists to use AI not to replace expertise but to enhance learning, improve decision-making and stimulate creativity in the rapidly evolving digital age.
Delivering the Lecture, titled “Five Important AI Tools for Enhancing the Competence and Creativity of Technologists”, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Offa, Prof. Kazeem Alagbe Gbolagade, described Artificial Intelligence as a transformative force that has become integral to modern workplaces, educational institutions, laboratories, industries and research centres.
He noted that the critical issue is no longer whether AI is coming but whether professionals are prepared to utilise it wisely, ethically and productively.
Prof. Gbolagade highlighted five practical AI tools namely, ChatGPT, NotebookLM, Microsoft 365 Copilot, Perplexity AI and Canva AI as valuable resources for technologists.
According to him, the tools support critical areas such as thinking and drafting, information search, productivity enhancement, source-based learning and visual creativity. He stressed that these technologies can help technologists prepare reports, develop training materials, solve problems, analyse data and improve communication.
Prof. Gbolagade, however, warned against excessive dependence on AI, noting that Artificial Intelligence can sometimes generate inaccurate information or misleading outputs. He advised users to verify AI-generated contents and maintain professional judgment at all times.
He emphasised that AI should serve as an assistant rather than a replacement for human expertise, adding that competence and creativity are best achieved when technology is guided by human wisdom, ethics and continuous learning.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, a Chief Academic Technologist, Mr Yusuf Tajudeen Olanrewaju, noted that the event had not only provided a platform for learning and capacity building but had also reinforced the commitment of academic technologists to excellence, innovation and professional development.
He urged participants to apply the lessons and practical knowledge gained from the programme towards advancing their profession and contributing meaningfully to the University community.
Highlights of the programme included presentation of awards to the keynote speakers and presentation of a roll up banner to the honouree, Prof. Aina.
Present at the event were the Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, Prof. Saudat Sallah AbdulBaqi; the Director of the General Studies Division, Prof. Mustapha Kayode Lambe; the Head of the Department of Mass Communication,Prof. Patrick Udende; Prof. Rasaq Mohammed Adisa, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Kunle Akogun, and the General manager of UNILORIN 89.3FM, Mr Idris Akintola Alooma; among others.
