…Minister Bosun Tijani hints on national AI strategy
The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, driven by technological advancements that continue to redefine the way we live and work.
One such transformative technology is Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has the potential to revolutionize industries, enhance productivity, and address critical societal challenges.
In this light, Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy, has taken to his X/Twitter page to announce the government’s desire to co-create with AI researchers, a National AI Strategy for Nigeria
“We’re curating a list of the top researchers of Nigerian descent from all over the world to join us in co-creating a National AI Strategy. The strategy will help shape our approach to building innovative tech solutions to our most pressing national problems.”
In his announcement, the Minister emphasized the importance of collaboration and inclusivity in shaping the future of AI in Nigeria. This ambitious initiative seeks to bring together top researchers of Nigerian descent from across the globe to contribute to the development of a comprehensive National AI Strategy.
It further aims to pave the way for innovative technological solutions that tackle some of Nigeria’s most pressing issues.
The significance of AI in driving economic growth and societal progress cannot be overstated. Recent projections suggest that AI could contribute a staggering $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with substantial portions coming from productivity gains and the introduction of new products and services. In the African context, adopting AI strategically could add up to $234 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2030, a transformative boost that could reshape industries and livelihoods.
Nigeria, known for its burgeoning tech startup ecosystem, stands at the forefront of this transformative wave. With its proactive leadership and dynamic innovation landscape, the country is well positioned to harness the power of AI for economic diversification and inclusive growth. The development of a National AI Strategy is a key step in this journey.
While the potential benefits of AI are substantial, the path to its realization is not without challenges. As AI algorithms are deployed in critical sectors like healthcare, finance, and security, concerns surrounding ethics, bias, transparency, and job automation have emerged.
Recognizing the complexity of these socio-technical challenges, both policymakers and researchers are aligned in their belief that a people-centric approach is essential. This ensures that AI systems are equitable and accountable, promoting fairness across gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Crafting the National AI Strategy
The creation of a National AI Strategy for Nigeria is a multi-faceted endeavor that demands collaborative efforts and meticulous planning. To identify top AI researchers with Nigerian roots, an intricate methodology was employed.
By leveraging global AI publication data, researchers of Nigerian descent were identified, and sophisticated machine learning models were deployed to ascertain their contributions to the field.
A unique research index, akin to the renowned “h-index,” was formulated, enabling the identification of the most influential AI researchers with Nigerian heritage.
With the initial stages of research and identification completed, the Nigerian Government is now turning to the public for further engagement. Recognizing the inherent possibility of false positives, the initiative aims to harness the collective wisdom and insights of the broader public.
This inclusive approach seeks to refine the list of researchers and ensure that the final roster is comprehensive and accurate.
As Nigeria embarks on this remarkable journey towards co-creating a National AI Strategy, it becomes evident that the path to innovation is one that demands collaboration, ingenuity, and the commitment to inclusive growth.
With AI’s potential to revolutionize industries, drive economic growth, and solve complex challenges, the efforts of the Nigerian Government reflects its commitment to building a technologically advanced and equitable future.
The fusion of human intellect and cutting-edge technology inspires nations to carve their destinies in the digital age. Through the co-creation of a National AI Strategy, the country will navigate this transformative journey, harnessing the immense potential of AI to drive progress, prosperity, and inclusivity for all.
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