The Nigeria AI Research Lab (NAIL), University of Lagos, on 25 June 2026, hosted a one-day workshop titled “Baking Privacy into Artificial Intelligence: Privacy by Design and Data Protection Impact Assessment Workshop for AI Developers and Deployers” at the NITDA IT Hub, University of Lagos. The workshop brought together technology professionals, researchers, legal experts, students, policymakers, and AI enthusiasts to examine the growing need for privacy-conscious approaches to the development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems.
As artificial intelligence continues to transform various sectors of society, the workshop emphasized the importance of ensuring that innovation does not come at the expense of individuals’ privacy and data protection rights. The event provided participants with valuable insights into the principles, frameworks, and practical tools required to build AI systems that are ethical, transparent, secure, and compliant with data protection regulations.
A central theme throughout the workshop was the concept of Privacy by Design, which advocates for the integration of privacy measures into systems from the earliest stages of development rather than treating privacy as an afterthought. Participants learned that privacy protection should be embedded into every phase of an AI system’s lifecycle, from planning and design to deployment and maintenance. The speakers highlighted how organizations can proactively identify privacy risks and implement safeguards that enhance trust, accountability, and compliance.
The workshop also examined broader issues relating to AI governance and regulation. Discussions focused on the need for transparency, fairness, accountability, and human oversight in automated decision-making systems. The speakers emphasized that as AI technologies become increasingly integrated into daily life, developers and organizations must take deliberate steps to prevent bias, discrimination, and other unintended consequences that may arise from poorly governed systems.
Overall, the workshop was timely, insightful, and highly relevant to the evolving digital landscape. It reinforced the idea that privacy and innovation are not competing objectives but complementary principles that can work together to foster trustworthy and sustainable artificial intelligence. The knowledge gained from the workshop will undoubtedly contribute to promoting ethical AI development, stronger data protection practices, and more responsible technology governance within Nigeria and beyond.
