NITRA Confab: Experts Brainstorm on Impact of AI on National Development, Prospects, Challenges
Experts in the information and Technology industry assembled at the ICT Growth Conference 4.0 organised by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) to brainstorm on the theme, “Impact of AI on National Development: Prospects, Policies and Challenges” held at Ikeja Lagos.
The panel session which was moderated by Hillary Damissah, comprise the representatives from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), private sector, and media, industry stakeholders and cyber security experts, had an in-depth discussion about the prospects of AI and the challenges.
In his presentation, Mr. Oluwatoni Olugbenga, Energy Tech/Project Leader, Schneider Electric stated that AI would continue to change the country’s educational system and its prospects in terms of Agriculture business and energy. Olugbenga lamented that Nigerian schools do not have the right quality gadgets like computers to leverage the benefits of AI.
He opined that Nigeria is still far behind in the area of infrastructure, noting that the country can start by educating people on how to use AI positively by ensuring that the massive youth population has to be in tune with technology and AI.
Peter Oluka, who represented the President of Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), lauded NITRA for organising the ICT Growth Conference, adding that the digital economy is no longer just to foster but it has become the backbone of innovation contributing more than 40 percent of our country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He highlighted that the vision of NIRA has always been to secure trusted online presence for Nigerians, adding “The .ng domain, which NiRA has managed over the years, is not just a symbol of national identity but also a means to achieve digital transformation in Nigeria. As at August 27th 2024, NIRA recorded 259,596.000 .ng domain name registration.”
Oluka stated further that for Nigeria to truly harness the potential of ICT, there is the need to bridge the digital divide that exists between urban and rural areas, young and elderly and better their different socioeconomic groups.
According to him, “As AI continues to evolve, its potential drive economic growth and improve businesses and public services, and also enhance the quality of life in Nigeria.”
He urged stakeholders to join hands with NITRA in pushing for AI growth as well as in building a robust digital system.
Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde, founder of Hyperspace and Neural AI, also highlighted AI’s challenges and opportunities, and maintained that AI will enhance human capabilities, not replace them.
He pointed out that whenever a new technology comes up they are disruptive, so AI is not going to take anybody’s job, but we need the skill and the knowledge of this piece of technology.
Akindeinde explained how AI applications are used in transcription, translation, and education, while demonstrating its potential to drive innovation, inclusive development as well as help security because we have the data to leverage in rescue and recovery.
Oluwakayode Olatunji, CISO/Group Head Infosec & GRC Advisory Digital Encode Ltd stated that we need to bring all stakeholders together to look into how to use the AI responsibly.
All the panelists acknowledged that we need to have self censorship, good regulation, responsible use of technology, awareness, retraining and good governance in pushing for the growth of AI.
Earlier in his opening speech, the Chairman of NITRA, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi, said the fear and lack of understanding of Artificial intelligence (AI), necessitated the move to organise the event to educate members on the importance of AI and its motivation for national development.
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