According to Kaspersky’s latest findings, AI is highly appreciated among travellers for saving time, finding personalised recommendations and budget-saving offers. However, data security risks awareness is also high, which security experts call a good sign.

Kaspersky global research* revealed what drives active AI users to charge chatbots and AI-powered tools with the important responsibility of travel planning and how they estimate the security of such services. The survey shows that the primary motivation for turning to AI in travel planning is to save time and simplify preparation, with 73% of users globally pointing out these benefits.

Other important advantages of AI in traveling, named by 65% of respondents, are the search for information about the main attractions in the chosen location and personalised recommendations tailored to individual preferences. Additionally, 63% leverage AI to find the most favourable offers, while 61% trust it to uncover information that would otherwise be hard to find.

In fact, nowadays with the help of AI, an individual travel itinerary, matching all the requests and budget of a particular traveller, can be created in just a few clicks.

However, information provided by chatbots always needs to be double checked. There have already been several instances where tourists encountered issues because they trusted AI too much and did not conduct their own research for the trip.

What is more, not only the information, but even links provided by AI need to be checked, as there may be malicious and phishing links among them. Before clicking on a link from an AI chatbot it is recommended to check it with a cybersecurity solution, such as Kaspersky Premium, empowered with phishing detection.

AI and security

Apart from setting a route and searching for information, AI in travel planning in many cases is also responsible for booking hotels and even tickets, which inevitably requires sharing personal data. The Kaspersky global survey revealed that not all travellers are ready to entrust AI with their personal information.

Almost half (48%) of global respondents see security risks in AI usage and try not to share any sensitive data with it. Together with those, 37% who do not have many security concerns about AI still try to be careful while working with it.

86% of those who use AI for travel planning think about data security while working with these tools. Only 14% of travellers are confident that sharing any data with AI is totally secure.

According to the survey, travellers in Spain, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Africa express the greater concerns about AI-related risks, while those in China, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia in contrast display higher confidence in the security of AI systems.

“The survey highlights a noteworthy level of caution among travellers who use AI, which is a promising sign. A rational attitude is crucial for any type of online interactions, especially when we talk about personal data sharing. After all, your ‘private’ conversations with AI can still be exposed to cyber threats, or a favourable offer discovered by a chatbot may turn out to be nothing more than a scam.

This doesn’t mean you should abandon these digital tools altogether. Instead, stay mindful, avoid oversharing personal information, and think carefully while choosing which task you can assign to the AI. By doing so, AI-powered services can evolve into reliable assistants that help you tackle a wide range of challenges safely and effectively,” comments Vladislav Tushkanov, Group Manager at Kaspersky AI Technology Research Center.

Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court in Lagos has declared the N60 billion fine imposed by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) on Facebook Nigeria Operations Limited Illegal.

Justice Bogoro stated that ARCON regulator exceeded its legal authority and breached the company’s constitutional right to a fair hearing.

He, who made the declaration while delivering judgment in Suit marked, FHC/L/CS/2205/2024, declared ARCON’s Notice of Violation/Demand for Compliance dated 21 October 2024, unconstitutional, unlawful, null, and void, and barred the agency from taking further steps to enforce it.

The judge also held that ARCON lacked the statutory power to impose fines for alleged criminal violations under the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria Act, 2022, without first obtaining a conviction from a court or other competent tribunal.

The dispute arose from ARCON’s claim that Facebook Nigeria displayed advertisements on Facebook and Instagram to Nigerian audiences without prior approval from the Advertising Standards Panel, contrary to provisions of the ARCON Act and the Nigerian Code of Advertising.

Following these alleged breaches, the regulator ordered the company to cease displaying the advertisements and imposed an N60 billion penalty.

Apparently dissatisfied with the development, Facebook Nigeria, through Mofesomo Tayo-Oyetibo (SAN), its lawyer, challenged the action, arguing that ARCON lacked the legal authority to determine criminal liability or impose punitive sanctions via an administrative notice without allowing the company to defend itself.

The company also argued that it does not own or operate Facebook or Instagram, claiming both platforms are owned and controlled by Meta Platforms Inc., a separate foreign entity.

But ARCON, represented by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), contended that Facebook Nigeria acts as Meta’s operation in Nigeria and should therefore be held responsible for regulatory violations related to advertisements on the platforms.

The regulator further argued that the notice was simply a compliance directive, allowing the company the option to comply, pay the specified violation fee, or face prosecution.

However, Justice Bogoro dismissed the regulator’s arguments.

The judge stated that Facebook Nigeria is a distinct legal entity from Meta Platforms Inc. and that ARCON failed to present credible evidence showing that the Nigerian company owns, operates, or controls Facebook or Instagram.

The court maintained that the argument that Facebook Nigeria represents Meta’s interests in Nigeria was insufficient to establish liability for the alleged advertising infractions.

Regarding fair hearing, the court ruled that ARCON violated Section 36 of the Constitution by accusing the company of misconduct and imposing a N60 billion fine without first hearing its defence.

Justice Bogoro also held that Section 57(4) of the ARCON Act explicitly requires the regulator to provide a fair hearing before imposing any penalty.

The court further found that the alleged violations were criminal because Section 34 of the ARCON Act designates the unlawful exposure of advertisements as an offence.

The judge also held that, since the Act stated that punishment can only be imposed “upon conviction,” ARCON had no authority to impose the N60 billion fine through an administrative process.

He insisted that, regardless of what ARCON called it, the demand was a fine that could only be imposed by a court following proper judicial procedures.

As a result, the court invalidated the Notice of Violation/Demand for Compliance.

It declared ARCON lacked authority to impose fines for breaches of Sections 34(3), 54, or other criminal provisions of the ARCON Act.

Justice Bogoro also issued a perpetual injunction preventing ARCON, its officers, agents, and associates from enforcing the October 21, 2024 notice against Facebook Nigeria.

Abia State has inaugurated of the country’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod (Manu-Tech UniPod) at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).

Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, minister of Education and Governor Alex Chioma Otti at the event

The inauguration marks a significant milestone in efforts to promote innovation, research commercialisation, and industrial development.

The landmark facility, established through a partnership between the federal government of Nigeria, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Abia State Government under the National Innovation and Digital Transformation Partnership Programme (NIDTPP), is designed to transform academic research into commercially viable products, foster entrepreneurship, promote industrial competitiveness and create sustainable jobs.

Representing Senator Kashim Shettima, Vice President, Dr. Maruf Olatunji Alausa, minister of Education, described the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future, saying it reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to repositioning higher education as a catalyst for innovation, research commercialisation, entrepreneurship and job creation.

He stressed that Nigerian universities must evolve beyond conventional teaching and research to become centres for enterprise development, technology transfer and industrial competitiveness.

Speaking at the inauguration, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, declared that Abia is entering a new era where science, innovation and enterprise will power economic prosperity and position the state as Nigeria’s leading hub for manufacturing and technological advancement.

Delivering his keynote address titled “Science Meets Enterprise,” Governor Otti described the UniPod as a transformational investment that bridges the gap between academia and industry, noting that development flourishes through purposeful partnerships.

He said the decision of the Federal Government and the UNDP to site Nigeria’s first Manu-Tech UniPod in Abia reflects the confidence they have in the state’s enormous economic potential.

“The siting of the Manu-Tech UniPod in Abia speaks eloquently to the institutional faith the UNDP and the Federal Government of Nigeria have reposed in our dear State and the potential it holds as an engine of growth and economic prosperity in the region,” the Governor stated.

Governor Otti explained that the innovation facility will accelerate product development, industrial-scale manufacturing, renewable energy integration and entrepreneurship while equipping more than 500,000 students and researchers with technological and innovation skills over the coming years.

He expressed optimism that the project would unlock unprecedented opportunities for Aba’s renowned manufacturing ecosystem by improving product quality, branding, competitiveness and access to regional and global markets.

According to him, the UniPod will redirect research in tertiary institutions from theoretical publications to practical solutions capable of addressing everyday challenges in agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and other productive sectors.

“The expectation is that research efforts henceforth will be directed at answering questions with practical, everyday applications,”

Governor Otti said, adding that improved research outcomes would reduce the mortality rate of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), strengthen investor confidence and stimulate sustainable economic growth across Abia and the South-East.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to innovation-driven development, stating that government fully supported the project because it aligns perfectly with its economic transformation agenda built on quality infrastructure, security, skilled manpower and strategic partnerships.

He also announced that the operationalisation of the UniPod would accelerate the implementation of other joint initiatives with the UNDP, including the expansion of the Jubilee Fellows Programme, the Aba Export Growth Lab, energy investment initiatives, industrial competitiveness programmes and the establishment of community innovation centres across the state.

Highlighting the opportunities presented by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Governor Otti noted that businesses in Abia now have access to a market of over 1.4 billion consumers across Africa.

“The hour of big dreams and great ambitions has arrived. If we fully harness the potential of this Manu-Tech University Innovation Pod, our challenge will no longer be finding markets but building the capacity to serve customers across Africa and the world,” he declared.

In her remarks, Ms. Ahunna Eziakonwa, United Nations assistant secretary-general and UNDP regional director for Africa, commenced her official mission to Nigeria with the inauguration of the facility, underscoring the importance of strategic partnerships in driving inclusive and sustainable development.

Also speaking, Ms. Elsie Attafuah, UNDP resident representative in Nigeria, described the UniPod as part of a broader national innovation ecosystem designed to connect education, research, enterprise and manufacturing while enabling universities to become drivers of economic growth and global competitiveness.

She commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Federal Ministry of Education, TETFund and the Abia State Government for their commitment to innovation-led development, while particularly praising Governor Otti for his vision of transforming Abia into Nigeria’s foremost manufacturing and industrial innovation hub.

Earlier,  Professor Ursula Ngozi Akanwa, vice-chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, described the inauguration as a defining moment in the institution’s history, saying the project fulfils the University’s mandate of deploying science, technology and innovation to advance agriculture, manufacturing and enterprise.

She expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Education, UNDP, TETFund and the Abia State Government for selecting MOUAU to host Nigeria’s first Manufacturing Technology University Innovation Pod.

The inauguration attracted top government officials, development partners, academia and industry stakeholders, including: Dr. Emmanuel Meribeole, secretary to the State Government; Pastor Caleb Ajagba, chief of Staff to the Governor, members of the State Executive Council, traditional rulers and other dignitaries.

The Manu-Tech UniPod is expected to provide students, researchers and entrepreneurs with access to advanced manufacturing technologies, prototyping facilities, business incubation support and industry mentorship, enabling innovative ideas to be transformed into market-ready products and positioning Abia at the forefront of Nigeria’s industrial revolution.