What Generative AI is NOT
Generative AI is powerful, but it’s not magic! Let’s break down what it CANNOT do, using everyday Nigerian examples.
1. It’s NOT a Human Brain (E No Get Sense Like Person!)
Generative AI doesn’t think, feel, or understand like humans. It’s like a parrot 
that repeats words but doesn’t know their meaning.
that repeats words but doesn’t know their meaning.Example: If you ask ChatGPT, “Why is Lagos traffic so bad?” it might give reasons from old articles, but it won’t feel your frustration or know today’s Third Mainland Bridge situation.
Takeaway: It mimics patterns, but it’s not alive!
2. It’s NOT Always Right (E Fit Lie Like “NEPA Bill”)
Generative AI can invent fake facts or “hallucinate.” Think of it like a cheeky friend who tells stories to impress you!
Example: If you ask it, “Who won the 2023 Jollof Wars?” it might say “Ghana” (
) even if Nigeria’s jollof is obviously superior. Always fact-check!
) even if Nigeria’s jollof is obviously superior. Always fact-check!Takeaway: It’s a creative guesser, not a truth-teller.
3. It’s NOT Original (E No Fit Cook New Soup From Scratch)
Generative AI mixes old ideas but can’t invent truly new ones. It’s like reusing Mama Nkechi’s soup ingredients but never creating a new recipe.
Example: If you ask it to design a new Nigerian flag, it’ll recycle colors like green, white, and green… but won’t invent a new color you’ve never seen.
Takeaway: It remixes, but doesn’t innovate.
4. It’s NOT a Mind Reader (E No Sabi Wetin Dey Your Head)
Generative AI can’t read your mind or emotions. It’s like a market seller shouting “Customer! Come buy!” without knowing what you actually need.
Example: If you type, “I’m sad,” it might suggest a generic happy song, not know you need Wizkid’s “Ojuelegba” to lift your mood.
Takeaway: It responds to words, not your heart.
5. It’s NOT a Replacement for Experts (E No Be Prof Datti!)
Generative AI can’t do jobs that need deep human skill or wisdom. Imagine using it to replace your village’s herbalist or grandma’s cooking—disaster!
Example: If it writes a maths essay, it might get the formulas right but miss the real-life examples your teacher asked for.
Takeaway: It’s a tool, not a teacher, doctor, or chef.
6. It’s NOT Free from Bias (E Fit Carry Wahala)
Generative AI learns from data created by humans (who have biases!). It’s like a child repeating everything they hear at the motor park—good and bad.
Example: If trained mostly on English data, it might struggle with Igbo proverbs or disrespect Yoruba culture accidentally.
Takeaway: It reflects human flaws, not perfection.
7. It’s NOT a Creator of Reality (E No Fit Change Lagos to London)
Generative AI can’t alter the real world. It’s like drawing a picture of a flying okada—fun to imagine, but it won’t actually fly.
Example: If it generates a photo of “a snowy Sahara Desert,” that’s just pixels—it won’t make Nigeria cold!
Takeaway: It creates digital illusions, not real-life magic.
Conclusion:
Generative AI is like a super-powered blender: it mixes existing things (words, images, sounds) to make something new-looking.
But:
1. No common sense (e.g., it might suggest putting suya spice in tea!).
2. No lived experience (it can’t laugh at Mr. Macaroni’s skits or taste ewa agoyin).
So use it wisely: Double-check its work, and never let it replace your own smart brain!
