The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has urged Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the Federal Government to adopt Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Nigeria.
Tijani made the appeal at a one-day AI stakeholders engagement on Monday in Abuja.
He said that the programme was for seamless implementation of the national AI strategy organised by the ministry in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and sponsored by Microsoft.
The minister said that the government was prioritising digital services in the public sector to make adoption of AI seamless, to improve productivity and boost the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
He said that for AI to thrive in Nigeria, the government had taken the lead by developing a national strategy and policy for national productivity.
“There is no country in the world where gorvenment is not an active player in AI initiatives. We have a school of thought that believes that the private sector alone can make AI thrive.
“But the reality is that the development and evolution of artificial intelligence requires the government to have clarity around the role of AI in society and determine what policy should be used.
“If we get it right in the public sector, it will permeate the private sector.
“With time, the adoption and deployment of AI will not only transform our national lives, but will shape the future of things in our country, ”he said.
Tijani said that the idea of the engagement was to fashion out the necessary strategy for adoption and deployment of artificial intelligence.
“Artificial intelligence has always been with us, however, our focus is that we want it to drive prosperity in Nigeria.
“The policy to drive its adoption and deployment will be crafted to the benefit of all, ” he said
He said that Nigeria must find ways to put AI to use in order to solve its socio-economic challenges.
According to him, democratising AI deployment will impact positively on the growth and development of the country.
He commended Microsoft, the World Bank and other critical stakeholders for their commitment to the seamless adoption and deployment of artificial intelligence in Nigeria.
The Director-General of NITDA, Malam Kashifu Inuwa, said the gathering was aimed at consolidating the spirit of co-creation adopted by the government to ensure seamless adoption and deployment of AI.
Inuwa said that since no country in the world wanted to be left behind in the adoption of AI, it was imperative for Nigeria to make the right decision on what it intends to do with it.
“We are adopting co-creation approach in order to bridge the gaps between design and execution of AI policy.
“We need to socialise the design after co-creation so that all critical stakeholders will not have difficulties in execution.
“The common man needs artificial intelligence to improve his productivity, so, inclusivity is part of the strategy.
“Every Nigerian needs to be digitally visible, especially as the country is blessed with a vibrant youth population and talent.
“This will, significantly, improve our agriculture, health, education and security,” he said.
The D-G further explained that critical issues of infrastructures and data should engage the attention of stakeholders, especially how to develop and harness them as the power house of AI.
Mr Robert Ivanchitz, the Associate General Counsel Corporate, External and Legal Affairs, Microsoft Central Europe, Middle East and Africa, said countries were in this because it was a technology like never before.
“Countries are in this race to get alot of Infrastructure and policies because this is a technology like never before in the history of humanity.
“The fact that this technology is being adopted so fast is such a great one, and I think we are leading a unique moment in history.
“This really raised the level of responsibility that we have as companies and government to do it right,” Ivanchitz said.
He said that the sense of urgency brought to the deployment of AI in Nigeria was commendable and urged the privacy agency to guarantee the security and privacy of all citizens.
” I must emphasise that deployment of Artificial Intelligence must be fair, inclusive, reliable and safe.
“It must be transparent, especially on results that are unexpected,” he said. (NAN)
