LASU Don Cautions Students on Excessive Dependence on A
A professor of Middle Eastern Studies at Lagos State University, Saheed Timehin, has cautioned students against allowing Artificial Intelligence to erode their creativity and originality in academic research.
Timehin, who spoke during a panel session at the retirement ceremony of Prof. Olujimi Kayode at the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, LASU, stressed that ethics must remain central in communication training and practice.
According to him, while AI tools are increasingly becoming part of education and communication, students must ensure their intellectual efforts are not replaced by machine outputs.
> “Students must not destroy their creativity by over-relying on AI. Conduct your research yourself. Many times, your conclusion will differ from what AI generates,” he said.
The panel discussion, themed “The Imperative of Communication Ethics in the Digital Age”, was moderated by Prof. Tunde Akanni, a journalism and development communication scholar at LASU.
Also contributing, Dr. Raheemat Adeniran, Acting Dean of Communication at Fountain University, noted that though AI has come to stay, its application must be inclusive, transparent, and responsible.
> “AI must be used within acceptable limits. Do not mislead people; there should be full disclosure,” she advised.
In his remarks, Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye, Commissioner II of the Lagos State Teaching Service Commission, emphasized that communication ethics have become even more critical in today’s digital era where information spreads instantly.
> “The world is now a global room. We must be guided by ethical principles. Do not post or share what you are unsure of,” he cautioned.
In his response, the celebrant Prof. Kayode, a former Head of Journalism at LASU, expressed gratitude to colleagues and students, declaring that retirement would not halt his passion for teaching.
> “I’m retired, but I’m not tired. I’ll still teach, perhaps at the law school or as a visiting professor in other universities,” he said.
Colleagues and mentees paid glowing tributes, describing him as a mentor, pioneer, and a model of ethics in academia. Prof. Jide Jimoh, Dean of the Faculty, lauded him as a “selfless person” who laid a strong foundation for the faculty, while Prof. Rotimi Olatunji, President of the Association of Communication Scholars and Media Professionals, hailed him as “a personification of ethics despite challenges.
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