By | Goodluck E. Adubazi, Abuja
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Yiaga Africa, Microsoft, TikTok and other national and international partners are set to convene the AI and Democracy Forum 2026 ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 General Election.
The two-day forum, scheduled for October 14–15, 2026, in Abuja, will focus on the theme, “Safeguarding the 2027 General Elections in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”
Other partners for the forum include the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), Dataphyte, MacArthur Foundation, International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and other stakeholders.
The organisers said the forum would bring together about 300 leaders and practitioners drawn from election management bodies, government and regulatory institutions, security agencies, political parties, technology companies, civil society organisations, the media, academia, the innovation ecosystem and development partners.
Discussions at the forum are expected to examine the growing impact of artificial intelligence on elections and democratic governance, including emerging opportunities and challenges associated with AI-driven technologies.
The gathering will also provide a platform for stakeholders to explore measures for safeguarding electoral processes and democratic institutions as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 General Election.
The organisers said the engagement would strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders and promote practical approaches to addressing the evolving influence of artificial intelligence on Nigeria’s electoral and democratic environment.
