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FG Organises Workshop on Nationwide Synthetic Intelligence Technique
As a part of efforts to align and implement the precedence space of the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda of Accelerating Diversification by way of Industrialisation, Digitisation, Artistic Arts, Manufacturing and Innovation, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Financial system(FMCIDE) has organised a workshop that will co-create Nationwide Synthetic Intelligence Technique which can leverage Human-Centred Design (HCD) method to formulate a technique that focuses on the wants of not solely Nigeria however the world on the whole.
The 4-day stakeholders’ technique workshop with the theme “Creating the Excessive-Stage Technique and Implementation Plan for a Nationwide AI Technique in Nigeria”, had in attendance, key business gamers from the personal sector, public and world consultants who brainstormed on the transformative potential of AI in reshaping societies worldwide.
In his opening comment, the Minister, FMCIDE, Dr ‘Bosun Tijani reminded individuals of their collective accountability in harnessing the ability of AI for the betterment of humanity and urged them to embrace a future the place connectivity and innovation served as catalysts for nationwide and world growth.
Whereas highlighting the profound affect of digital expertise on human interactions and societal norms, he emphasised the necessity for inclusive participation in shaping the trajectory of AI growth.
“Digital applied sciences are additionally fairly transformational due to their scope. Not solely do they join, however they permit us to rework practically each facet of our lives as people,” he added.
The Minister emphasised that inclusive dialogue and cooperation have been important parts in shaping a future the place AI serves the collective good and known as for unity among the many individuals to embrace conflicting views that would emanate from their brainstorming on AI growth.
Whereas difficult individuals to rise above ideological variations and embrace a imaginative and prescient of AI that transcended nationwide boundaries, Dr Tijani averred that “I’m difficult every one among us that may take part on this workshop to not be too centered on methods in constructing AI that’s restricted to Nigeria or Africa however to the world.”
“Allow us to present management globally in order that the world may very well be convergingand not diverging once we speak AI as a result of these set of expertise instruments and merchandise that might be constructed from this workshop can be utilized throughout borders,” he famous.
In his comment, the Ministry’s Everlasting Secretary, Engr. Faruk Yusuf Yabo acknowledged that AI had the potential to rework the Nigeria’s financial system in numerous sectors from enhancing healthcare to growing productiveness in agriculture and authorities operational effectivity in addition to growing instructional growth.
“As we collect right here, we aren’t simply pleased with this technique for Nigeria, we’re laying the inspiration for the longer term the place AI goes to be an integral a part of all points of Nigerians’ lives.”
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He mentioned, “It’s important that we develop a technique that isn’t solely theoretically sound but in addition sensible and implementable throughout the normal context, whereas taking into cognisance, our cultural values, traditions, norms and particular wants to extend our nationwide safety and sovereignty.”
Earlier, in his welcome handle, the Director-Basic, Nationwide Info Expertise Improvement Company, (NITDA) Mallam Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, emphasised the importance of leveraging AI not solely as technological software however as a catalystfor broader societal change.
The NITDA DG underscored the crucial of harnessing the transformative potential of AI for the betterment of Nigerian society with emphasis on not solely growing a technique for AI but in addition growing a technique with AI.
“Our imaginative and prescient for this technique is evident. It’s to harness the ability of AI to derive values from it whereas harnessing its potential and avoiding its errors,” he famous.
Whereas stating that expertise is sort of a double-edged sword with its guarantees and pitfalls, Inuwa mentioned that the individuality of the workshop isn’t solely to debate however to actively share concepts by way of cognitive processes.
“This method is key as a result of it can assist us to make use of our various insights and experience in creating a technique that might be inclusive in addition to reflecting our nationwide consensus,” he averred.
The NITDA DG asserted that the technique would help make vital developments towards attaining Mr President’s financial transformation in precedence areas of nationwide safety, boosting agriculture to realize meals safety, growing the nation’s GDP, unlocking power and transportation potentials in addition to enhancing the healthcare sector amongst many others.
“Our success will depend on our skill to work collectively throughout authorities, academia, business and civil society in bringing our distinctive views to this technique which can assist us craft not simply an modern technique however a practicable and implementable technique that may lay a basis for a affluent nation for Nigerians,” he concluded.
The spotlight of the workshop was the breakout sessionswith business and world consultants sharing insights on contextualising AI technique, setting directional beacons for Nigeria’s AI, growing a nationwide imaginative and prescient and objective setting for AI in Nigeria.
On the finish of the workshop, individuals who have been grouped into syndicates which embrace; AI Ethics and Social Influence, AI Infrastructure and Ecosystem in Expertise, AI Expertise and Workforce Improvement, AI Analysis and Innovation, AI Adoption and Sector Focus, AI Coverage and Governance, AI Worldwide Collaboration and Engagement, AI Security and Rules gave shows on numerous strategic initiatives, roadmap growth and thematic visioning wanted for the event of a strong AI Technique doc.
Whereas giving his vote of thanks, Dr. Tijani thanked NITDA, Nigerian Communications Fee, Galaxy Spine, Nigeria Knowledge Safety Fee, Knowledge Science Nigeria, Microsoft, Google, Meta, the academia and a number of different private and non-private organisations for his or her invaluable contribution to the success of the workshop.
Expressing his pleasure on the energetic engagement by individuals on the workshop the place in-depth concepts and experiences have been shared, he mentioned that he was assured {that a} strong Nationwide AI Technique which Nigerians may derive worth from could be developed for the advantage of the nation and the world.
