Nigeria steps into the future, summoning global experts to assist in shaping its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy. Such an endeavor will fundamentally transform how the government formulates innovative technological solutions for the queries facing the nation. As a ripple effect of this action, leading AI researchers with Nigerian heritage from around the globe are invited to contribute their expertise. It is apparent that Nigeria acknowledges the vast potential of AI as a dynamic technology, capable of reforming production and services while also influencing societal progress and economic expansion.
AI, being touted as the game-changer of our age, posits a predicted contribution of an astonishing $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, according to studies. This includes around $3 trillion accredited to enhanced labor productivity and $9.1 trillion put forward by new goods and services. Bearing this in mind, Nigeria’s move towards developing its own national AI strategy reads as a sound investment in its technological future.
To identify the appropriate individuals for the task, a complex methodology was employed. This comprised the use of global AI publication data and advanced machine learning models to locate influential AI researchers of Nigerian heritage. Upon the completion of its initial research phase, the Nigerian government is looking to involve the public, welcoming potential for errors and aiming to tap into collective knowledge and insights.
What’s more, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, revealed ambitions to establish communities of AI developers countrywide. This seeks to distribute the potential for technological advancement within Nigeria, promising to begin the initiative in three states in 2023.
However, calibrating the path of a whole nation towards a technologically advanced future isn’t without challenges and potential hazards. The very nature of AI, which in essence is built to mimic human cognitive functions, raises significant ethical questions. Data privacy, job displacement, machine autonomy, and even potential misuse are all realities needing to be addressed alongside this transformative course. Nevertheless, it cannot be denied that the potential rewards of successfully integrating AI into solutions tackling national challenges could be game-changing for Nigeria.
Source: Cointelegraph
