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…In search of AI researchers
By Chinenye Anuforo, [email protected]
The Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy has announced that the country is well-positioned to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) for economic diversification and inclusive growth. Hence, the desire to co-create with AI researchers, a National AI Strategy for Nigeria
The Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani who took to his X/Twitter page to announce this, explained that AI has become a multi-purpose technology transforming production and service delivery, with the potential to significantly impact economic growth and social progress.
According to him in a white paper titled ‘Co-creating a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for Nigeria’, recent research shows that Al could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with $3 trillion from increased productivity and $9.1 trillion from new products and services (PwC, 2018).
“The International Finance Corporation projects that the strategic adoption of Al could add up $234 billion to Africa’s GDP by 2030. Nigeria in this loop is considered to have a fast-growing technology start-up ecosystem (having attracted 25% of the $1.3 billion funding to African tech start-ups in 2021) and with proactive leadership, is well-positioned to leverage Al for economic diversification and inclusive growth”, the Minister said.
In his announcement, the Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration and inclusivity in shaping the future of AI in Nigeria. This ambitious initiative seeks to bring together top researchers of Nigerian descent from across the globe to contribute to the development of a comprehensive National AI Strategy.
“We’re curating a list of the top researchers of Nigerian descent from all over the world to join us in co-creating a National AI Strategy. The strategy will help shape our approach to building innovative tech solutions to our most pressing national problems.”
It further aims to pave the way for innovative technological solutions that tackle some of Nigeria’s most pressing issues.
While the potential benefits of AI are substantial, the path to its realization is not without challenges. As AI algorithms are deployed in critical sectors like healthcare, finance, and security, concerns surrounding ethics, bias, transparency, and job automation have emerged.
Recognizing the complexity of these socio-technical challenges, both policymakers and researchers are aligned in their belief that a people-centric approach is essential. This ensures that AI systems are equitable and accountable, promoting fairness across gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Crafting the National AI Strategy
The creation of a National AI Strategy for Nigeria is a multi-faceted endeavor that demands collaborative efforts and meticulous planning. To identify top AI researchers with Nigerian roots, an intricate methodology was employed.
By leveraging global AI publication data, researchers of Nigerian descent were identified, and sophisticated machine learning models were deployed to ascertain their contributions to the field.
A unique research Index, akin to the renowned “h-index,” was formulated, enabling the identification of the most influential AI researchers with Nigerian heritage.
With the initial stages of research and identification completed, the Nigerian Government is now turning to the public for further engagement. Recognizing the inherent possibility of false positives, the initiative aims to harness the collective wisdom and insights of the broader public.
This inclusive approach seeks to refine the list of researchers and ensure that the final roster is comprehensive and accurate.
As Nigeria embarks on this remarkable journey towards co-creating a National AI Strategy, it becomes evident that the path to innovation is one that demands collaboration, ingenuity, and the commitment to inclusive growth.
With AI’s potential to revolutionize industries, drive economic growth, and solve complex challenges, the efforts of the Nigerian Government reflects its commitment to building a technologically advanced and equitable future.
The fusion of human intellect and cutting-edge technology inspires nations to carve their destinies in the digital age. Through the co-creation of a National AI Strategy, the country will navigate this transformative journey, harnessing the immense potential of AI to drive progress, prosperity, and inclusivity for all.
