Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has warned scientists and technology developers against allowing artificial intelligence (AI) to weaken human creativity and imagination, urging them to ensure that machines complement rather than replace essential human abilities.

Soyinka gave the warning at the 2026 Nigerian Prize Awards Night, organised by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) in Lagos on Friday, October 9, where the theme was Heritage.

He described the potential threat posed by AI as real, despite its capacity to facilitate human progress, arguing that excessive reliance on the technology could weaken independent thought and creative expression.

The playwright expressed concern that the use of AI to produce academic theses, poetry and other creative works could gradually undermine people’s ability to think and create independently.

He warned that such dependence could lead to the gradual decline of human imagination, stressing that creative expression should remain rooted in human experience and individuality.

Soyinka also raised concerns about the possibility of AI generating digital replicas of writers and other creative professionals capable of imitating their styles, gestures and personalities.

He said such developments could blur the distinction between authentic human expression and machine-generated imitations, raising questions about identity and the ownership of creative works.

However, the Nobel laureate clarified that his position was not a call to halt technological advancement. Rather, he urged scientists and technologists to establish ethical boundaries that would ensure innovation served humanity.

He called for closer collaboration between science and the humanities, arguing that philosophical reflection and an understanding of human creativity should guide the development and application of AI.

Soyinka also appealed to NLNG to consider introducing a special consolation prize to recognise and protect human creativity amid the growing influence of artificial intelligence.

He stressed that imagination was essential not only to literature and the arts but also to scientific inquiry, noting that researchers needed creative thinking to interpret facts, formulate theories and develop solutions.

According to him, scientific progress depends partly on the ability to imagine possibilities beyond existing knowledge, making creativity a shared foundation of both the sciences and the humanities.

Earlier, NLNG Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Adeleye Falade, said the company’s awards continued to promote excellence in Nigeria’s literary, scientific and creative communities.

Falade said the theme, Heritage, highlighted the responsibility to preserve achievements, strengthen shared values and create opportunities for future generations.

He noted that the Nigerian Prize for Science and Innovation recognised work in areas including healthcare, agriculture, engineering, energy, technology, climate resilience and sustainable development.

He added that the Nigerian Prize for Literature had become a major platform for celebrating outstanding Nigerian writers and contributing to international discussions on identity and shared human experiences.

Falade also highlighted the Nigerian Prize for Creative Arts, introduced for the first time at the 2026 ceremony following its launch the previous year. The prize recognises originality and creative excellence in fields including music, film, visual arts, fashion and theatre.

He said NLNG would continue supporting initiatives that celebrate talent, encourage innovation and strengthen Nigeria’s intellectual and cultural heritage.

The awards ceremony brought together government officials, diplomats, academics, scientists, writers, industry leaders and creative professionals to celebrate achievements across literature, science and the arts.