In a thought-provoking lecture delivered at the Centre for Values in Leadership, Mr. Tim Akano, Founder and Managing Director of New Horizons Nigeria, delved into the complexities surrounding the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), addressing the dichotomy of AI as a potential boon or a looming demon.
Mr. Akano highlighted key insights from global leaders and experts, capturing the essence of AI’s transformative impact on society, economies, and geopolitics.
What Are the Experts Saying?
President Putin, 4th September, 2017:
“The nation that leads in AI will be the ruler of the world.”
Elon Musk, AI Security Summit UK, 3rd November 2023:
“The biggest risk we face as a civilization is the superintelligent computers; it’s like summoning the demon.”
Ray Kurzweil:
“Envision a future when humans and machines become one, and our minds are uploaded to the cloud.”
Kai-Fu Lee, Chinese AI Angel Investor:
“AI has the potential to create technological unemployment, exacerbate global economic inequality, and bring identity crises about what it means to be human.”
AI Waves and Trends:
The 5 Waves of AI:
- Perception AI: Digitizing the physical world, recognizing faces, and understanding surroundings.
- Internet AI: Powering video/music streaming, online shopping, and personalized content recommendations.
- Business AI: Mining historical and peripheral data for business growth.
- Artificial General Intelligence (AGI): The era when superintelligent computers communicate, self-improve, and humans merge with machines.
- Autonomous AI: Featuring self-driving cars, drones, and intelligent robots taking over various industries.
Job Impact:
20 Jobs AI Will Kill:
– Data Entry Clerk
– Telemarketer
– Driver
– Travel Agent
– Retail Sales Personnel
– Journalist
– Stock Trader
– Language Translator
– And more…
20 Jobs AI Cannot Kill:
– Health Care Social Workers
– Psychologists
– Artists, Entertainers, Social Media Influencers
– Police Detectives
– Surgeons
– Mental Health Counselors
– And more…
AI and the New World Order:
The competition for AI supremacy between the US and China, both investing heavily in AI-focused funding, is shaping a new world order.
Strategic plans, quantum AI, generative AI models, and advancements in various technologies are influencing this dynamic landscape.
Career Path for AI Experts:
AI experts can earn up to $300,000 per year. The World Economic Forum predicts that AI will create 97 million new jobs by 2030. Key skills include Algorithms, Python Programming, Data Processing, Deep Learning, and TensorFlow.
Leveraging AI for Transformation in Africa/Nigeria:
To harness the potential of AI for positive transformation, Mr. Akano proposes strategic actions:
– Establish an AI National Strategic Plan
– Set up venture capital ecosystems exclusively for AI products
– Implement universal salaries to counteract job displacement
– Create AI-focused funds for research and development
– Set up AI universities and hubs across educational institutions
– Offer subsidies for African researchers and corporations in AI
– Patronize made-in-Africa AI products and services
Conclusion:
As AI shapes the future, Africa and Nigeria must strategically position themselves to avoid the pitfalls of AI colonialism.
A call to action includes setting up national plans, fostering indigenous innovation, and creating an ecosystem that prioritizes AI education, research, and development.
