By Chinenye Anuforo [email protected]
All over the world, human development has been wrapped around machines. Indeed, the past few years have seen huge breakthroughs in the use and application of artificial intelligence (AI) and it holds major promise for people around the world.
Artificial intelligence is the intelligence of machines or software, as opposed to the intelligence of other living beings, primarily of humans. It is a field of study in computer science that develops and studies intelligent machines. AI technology can process large amounts of data in ways, unlike humans. The goal for AI is to be able to do things such as recognize patterns, make decisions, and judge like humans.
Simply put, AI is transforming lives, businesses and economic activities worldwide through its capacity to mimic or replicate human-like intelligence.
With the growing potential of AI, many countries are adopting various strategies to become AI-ready. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) analysis published in 2017, AI is expected to contribute about $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. AI readiness involves the capacity of a country or organisation to use AI technologies to effectively drive economic growth, social development, and overall welfare.
However, experts note that AI readiness is still a huge challenge in many African countries due to limited AI-supportive facilities and infrastructure. The availability of reliable electricity, good internet connectivity, and computing power are vital tools for AI development, but many African countries still need to massively improve in these areas. It is, however, essential to note that a country’s readiness for AI is not simply a question of preparing to buy and install new technologies.
Assessing Nigeria’s readiness for AI, the Chief Executive Officer, Jidaw Systems Limited, Mr. Jide Awe canvassed the need for a clear and comprehensive National AI Strategy and Policy that will provide guidance and direction on AI development and use and to ensure AI is aligned with national objectives and priorities as a nation. He said government’s establishment of the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) is a promising development, but its impact remains to be fully realized.
Awe added: “The launch of the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Research Scheme and the award of grants to 45 AI-focused start-ups and researchers are positive developments. However, further funding for research institutions, universities, and startups remains crucial.”
The tech expert stated that reliable and accessible infrastructure are essential to provide the backbone needed for fostering AI development and deployment. “Epileptic electricity supply hinders progress, while advancements in computing power, have been positive, affordability and accessibility concerns remain. Additionally, the cybersecurity environment needs to be improved.”
“In Nigeria, access to diverse, high-quality data for training AI models falls significantly below expectations due to insufficient data collection and analysis practices. As a result, many AI models trained on foreign data fail to reflect the Nigerian and African experiences. While the National Data Protection Act (NDPA) represents a good first step in addressing data privacy concerns, further developments are needed to bridge the data gap and ensure ethical AI development”, Awe pointed out.
He argued that while private and public sector initiatives like those by NITDA and the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy address AI skills development, the skills gap remains substantial. “To seize the unique opportunity presented to realize the potential of its young population, Nigeria must expand efforts by developing comprehensive educational programs and training initiatives, including reskilling and upskilling, to equip Nigerians with the necessary skills for AI development and adoption”, he stated.
Corroborating Awe, another tech analyst Dolapo Akinbisola, Country Head at SmartComplyApp, believes the path to AI innovation has to start with education. “We have to intentionally ensure that it is a part of our curriculum,” he said.
Olumide Okubadejo, AI Research Scientist at Spotify, also corroborated Akinbisola’s stance by saying Nigeria does not have the talent to drive AI technology. “How many people can build a face detection pipeline or speech detection pipeline in Nigeria?” He asked.
The experts explained that to effectively unlock the benefits and potential of AI while addressing risks and limitations, the Nigerian AI ecosystem needs to foster a more vibrant, inclusive, and collaborative environment. “Such an ecosystem is essential to drive innovation and increase productivity in critical sectors like healthcare, agriculture, education, and financial services. Currently, many stakeholders operate in silos. These approaches hinder innovation and responsible AI development. A systemic approach is needed, with partnerships to drive efforts in public awareness, skills development, research and entrepreneurship, and public policy.”
While Nigeria does not currently have a comprehensive AI policy, it has shown interest in the advancement of technology.
For example, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), published research on the impact of AI in society to provide policymakers with insights into what is possible with AI.
However, experts believed that the era of policies playing catch-up with technology has passed and policymakers need to move fast to ensure rapid innovation of AI in Nigeria.
According to Awe, “While AI presents an impressive and crucial opportunity, Nigeria cannot afford to blindly follow trends. We have certainly taken some important steps and AI isn’t exactly a stranger on our shores. However, to seize this opportunity, we must address the issues mentioned and prioritize addressing key challenges around job creation, health, education, local innovation and productivity, and quality of life. As we leverage AI, prioritizing human well-being and development alongside technological advancement is crucial”.