Abuja, April 16, 2024 – The Federal Government will take active part in the development and regulations of Artificial Intelligence at the global stage.
Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy, said this in Abuja at the opening of a four-day workshop on National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
The workshop was organised by his ministry in conjunction with the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), the National Information Technology Development Agency, NITDA, the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the Galaxy Backbone, Google and other development partners
Tijani said Nigeria’s participation was imperative as there would soon be a global convergence on the ways and manners Artificial Intelligence are developed and deployed by global powers,
“Digital technology is a reality in Asia, America, and Europe. The reality should be the same in Nigeria and Africa. We cannot afford to be left behind.
“The US, UK and Asia all have input on how AI is developed and regulated. Right now, there are lots of silos regarding the ways and manners AI is developed and applied.
“In a short while, there will be a convergence of AI systems, so Nigeria should be part of that global superpower in the development and regulations of AI.
“AI is going to change the narratives in all areas of human endeavours and we are here to develop a strategic roadmap that would enhance our knowledge, skills, participation, development, deployment, etc.
Tijani said Nigeria should show leadership from the perspective of Africa on how AI would be deployed.
“Any technology that has the potential of a watchdog on how we think and what we do, our goals should not be restricted to what we get as a nation, but what it would mean to humanity as a whole,” he said.
The minister said he expected the workshop to come up with far-reaching resolutions and strategies on the way forward for the adoption and deployment of AI in Nigeria.
Kashifu Inuwa, the Director General of NITDA, said Nigeria should benefit from the global AI market with an estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 15. 7 trillion dollars by 2030.
Inuwa said the AI industry would add between 2.7 to 4.6 trillion dollars to the global economy before 2030, stressing that it is an opportunity Nigeria should not miss.
According to him, the AI workshop being packaged by all stakeholders is not only critical but presents an opportunity for the country to develop a strategy to maximise the potential in the sector. (GBN)
