AI Crises Outpace Institutional Response, Experts Warn of Rising Digital Risks
Artificial intelligence is accelerating the pace and scale of global crises beyond the capacity of institutions to respond, raising urgent concerns among experts. Stakeholders at the 2026 Crisis Management Advocacy Month conference in Lagos highlighted that AI-driven threats—from deepfakes to cyberattacks—are spreading faster than official responses, leaving governments and organizations increasingly exposed.
Speaking at the flagship conference, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasized that crises are inevitable, but the outcomes depend on preparedness and institutional agility. “Communication shapes behaviour, perception, and ultimately public trust,” he said, urging governments to view crises as opportunities for reform and invest in systems that strengthen resilience.
Segun Ogunsanya, Chairman of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority, noted that AI is transforming economies and societies while simultaneously creating new vulnerabilities. Misinformation campaigns, automated ethical risks, and data leaks are no longer theoretical, he warned, calling for proactive strategies that anticipate crises before they escalate.
Experts further stressed that the speed of AI-driven crises challenges traditional responses. Yomi Okusanya, Lead Partner at CMC Connect LLP, described modern crises as “faster than facts, louder than truth, and increasingly engineered.” Panelists agreed that trust, transparency, and rapid response are essential in mitigating reputational and operational damage in the digital age.
Organizational leaders also highlighted the human dimension of AI threats. Celestine Achi, CEO of Cihan Communications, stressed that sustaining public trust is critical, while Edemekong Uyoh of the British Council pointed out that human judgment remains indispensable in interpreting data responsibly. Financial losses from digital fraud, reported at nearly N150 billion in 2024 by Himanshu Verma of Inicio Insights, underscore the economic stakes of failing to adapt to AI-driven crises.
source: The Guardian