International law scholar and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof Damilola Olawuyi, has called for the ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate sustainable innovation and support global development priorities.
Olawuyi, who is the president of the Association of Environmental Law Lecturers in Middle East and North African Universities (ASSELLMU), made the call in his address during a plenary at the 7th MENA Environmental Law and Policy Scholars Conference held at Sorbonne University, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
He stressed that AI must be deployed in ways that align with Goal 9 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 9), which promotes industry, innovation and resilient infrastructure.
Olawuyi, who also chairs the United Nations Working Group on Business and Human Rights, warned that although AI has transformative potential in environmental monitoring, research, teaching and enforcement, its misuse poses serious risks.
“Despite the innovative contributions of AI to environmental monitoring, research and teaching, the exploitative and unethical use of AI and other digital tools is becoming one of the greatest threats to innovation and critical scholarship,” he said.
Established in 2018, the yearly conference has grown into the largest gathering of environmental law scholars and policymakers in the Middle East and North Africa region.
It brings together academics, government officials, businesses and international organisations to strengthen environmental law education and policy collaboration.
Themed “Environmental Law in the Digital Age”, this year’s conference examined how emerging technologies, particularly AI, can support sustainable development.
A key focus was the concept of the “twin transition,” which explores how societies can tackle ecological crises while expanding digital infrastructure.
Olawuyi, however, underscored the need to clarify ethical standards guiding both environmental law and AI deployment to enhance transparency, reliability and informed decision-making.
He called for deeper interdisciplinary research to develop integrated solutions capable of addressing global ecological challenges while promoting climate-smart digital systems.
The event featured prominent participants, including the Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Prof Nathalie Martial-Braz; Sheikh Abdul Aziz bin Ali Al Nuaimi of The Green Sheikh Academy; and Prof Patricia Mbote, Director of the Law Division at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Representatives of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union also attended.
Beyond policy discussions, Olawuyi emphasised the importance of capacity development.
He urged higher institutions to design interdisciplinary programmes that combine sustainability and technology, noting that cultivating a “technopreneurial mindset” among students is essential.
According to him, equipping young people with ethical AI skills for environmental monitoring and decision-making could unlock youth-led entrepreneurship and drive the transition to a sustainable and prosperous economy.
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