We Must Not Be Passive Consumers of AI and Other Imported Innovations- Asantehene

The Monarch of the Asante Kingdom, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has called for scrutiny of imported innovations, including Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The King asserts that the country’s universities must not be passive consumers of these technological advancements.

Addressing a Congregation on November 29, 2025, at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), His Majesty stated that innovations must be assessed for their risks and be adopted only when they align with Ghanaian cultural values and advance the well-being of humanity.

“As a premier institution of science and technology, it is our responsibility not to remain passive consumers of imported innovations but to contribute meaningfully to the global discourse and development of AI.”

“We must engage our students and researchers to engage critically to innovate responsibly and to ensure that technology reflects our cultural values and advances the well-being of humanity.”

Acknowledging the revolution of AI in medicine, education, commerce, governance and other spheres of life, Otumfuo also called to mind the profound risk it bears if left unchecked.

He therefore suggested technological development be embraced with wisdom, foresight and a moral compass.

These remarks followed KNUST’s 13th RP BAFFOUR MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES on the theme: “Super Intelligent AI Agents: An Existential Threat to the Human Race? Navigating Through the Intricacies of the AI Revolution” delivered by Dr Mercy Nyamewaa Asiedu, a US-based Biomedical Engineer, Senior Research Scientist at Google Research and the Inventor of Callascope.

Story by Hajara Fuseini