When it was time for the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to take the stage, the message wasn’t just about adopting new software; it was a profound call to reshape how public institutions operate.

Speaking through Kashifu Inuwa, the director general of NITDA issued a vital challenge to the assembly: public institutions must embrace Artificial Intelligence, but they must do so responsibly.

True digital transformation, he argued, cannot exist without anchoring it in human accountability, robust policy frameworks, and continuous digital skills development.

To prove that this was not merely theoretical, Inuwa, represented by Dr. Aristotle Onumo, the director of Stakeholder Management and Partnership at NITDA, pulled back the curtain on the Agency’s internal AI revolution.

The agency has already set in motion a comprehensive, three-year AI Transformation Plan designed to ensure long-term institutional efficiency, continuity, and productivity.

The strategy addresses one of the oldest vulnerabilities in public administration: the institutional brain drain that happens when personnel change.

“In NITDA as an agency, we have what we call the AI Transformation Plan,” Inuwa stated, his words underscoring a vision of an unshakeable, digitally driven institution. “It is a kind of three-year plan which we have put in place so that even if the current staff are replaced completely, new personnel should be able to interact with the system and continue work without hindrance.”

Through this initiative, NITDA is sketching the blueprint for the future of the Nigerian civil service, one where artificial intelligence acts as the permanent, seamless memory of an organization, keeping the wheels of governance turning smoothly no matter who holds the wheel.

The DG explained that the Agency has already integrated AI into its internal workflow processes, particularly in document management and task tracking.

He noted that official documents submitted at the Agency’s premises are now scanned immediately at the gate and automatically routed by AI systems to the responsible officers based on identified keywords and subject areas.

He added that the AI infrastructure also monitors timelines and flags delays where officers fail to attend to official correspondence within stipulated periods.

“All that is required now is to drop documents at the gate. AI scans and routes them to the appropriate officers. If such documents are not treated within the required timeframe, the system flags them and reports accordingly,” he explained.

While acknowledging concerns surrounding AI adoption, particularly fears about job displacement, the NITDA DG stressed that the technology should be viewed as a tool for improving productivity rather than a threat to human relevance.

“There is always this fear that AI is coming to take away jobs, especially in the public service. But I want to state clearly that the jobs of people who refuse to upskill themselves may eventually be affected. However, those willing to retrain and adapt will benefit immensely from AI,” he said.

To address workforce transition concerns, he revealed that NITDA has commenced agency-wide AI capacity building programmes for all staff members.

According to him, employees whose traditional roles are being transformed by automation are being reassigned and redesignated into emerging AI-related functions.

“We have ensured that everyone undergoes AI training. Those who previously handled manual file operations have now been redesignated as AI assistants and AI administrators. We are preparing our workforce for the future rather than replacing them,” he noted.

The DG further emphasised the importance of maintaining human oversight in AI deployment, warning against the complete removal of human intelligence and accountability from governance systems.

“You must not take away human monitoring and accountability in any AI implementation process. At the end of the day, someone must remain accountable,” he cautioned.

Speaking on governance and regulation, the NITDA boss called for all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to develop internal AI policies capable of defining clear operational boundaries for the technology.

According to him, government deployment of AI differs significantly from private sector usage because public institutions must bear responsibility for any AI-related failures or ethical breaches.

He stressed the need for robust governance frameworks to guide responsible AI use, protect citizens’ rights, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations.

“We must ensure that whatever we use AI for aligns with data protection regulations and responsible use principles. Without proper frameworks, data misuse could become more prevalent and destructive,” he warned.

The NITDA DG also highlighted the Agency’s broader efforts to drive national AI adoption following the development of Nigeria’s National AI Strategy, which he described as one of the country’s most forward-looking digital policy documents.

He stated that NITDA is currently using the Agency as a practical AI sandbox to test implementation models before wider deployment across the public service ecosystem.

As part of efforts to deepen digital capacity across government institutions, he disclosed that NITDA is collaborating with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation to train civil servants in digital literacy and AI-related competencies.

He reiterated that the future workforce must embrace continuous learning and adaptability to remain relevant in an increasingly AI-driven world.

“AI has not come to replace people completely. But those who refuse to develop their skills may struggle to fit into the evolving technology ecosystem,” he concluded.

Instead of eroding safety, 84% of these businesses report stronger privacy initiatives since integrating AI into their operations.

The findings, titled The AI Privacy Equation: The Nigerian Model of Responsible AI Adoption and unveiled at Zoholics Nigeria, revealed Nigeria as a global reference point for AI adoption balanced with privacy. 

Beyond AI adoption and privacy focus, the event also celebrated another milestone for Zoho, which announced a 75% customer growth in Nigeria in 2024, one of its fastest-growing markets worldwide.

“We continue to invest in Nigeria as businesses here accelerate their adoption of technology to grow and scale,” said Kehinde Ogundare, country head, Zoho Nigeria. 

“The latest study around AI and Privacy proves that Nigerian businesses are leading the way in responsible AI adoption, as they temper the new technology with privacy measures. This mirrors Zoho’s philosophy of building contextual and privacy-first AI models that can help businesses realise tangible benefits. We infuse our AI solutions—from conversational and prescriptive to agentic and generative—with business context so that it can provide organisations with decision intelligence.”

Balancing AI With Privacy

The study, which surveyed 386 Nigerian business leaders, shows how companies are embedding AI responsibly. Ninety-four percent now have a dedicated privacy officer or team, a figure well above global averages. 

Nearly 40% allocate over 30% of their IT budgets to privacy protection, opining that governance is not a constraint but a competitive advantage.

Michael Fauscette, CEO and chief analyst of Arion Research, underscored this shift:

“The Nigerian model challenges the conventional wisdom that AI adoption requires privacy trade-offs. When 84% of organisations strengthen their privacy measures through AI implementation rather than weakening them, it demonstrates that privacy-conscious design can actually enhance AI outcomes. Nigerian businesses are proving that robust governance isn’t a constraint on innovation, it’s a competitive advantage.”

Leadership and Deployment

More than half of survey respondents were CEOs or senior executives, showing that AI adoption is being driven from the top. Unlike other markets where implementation lags, Nigeria is moving quickly from pilots to enterprise-wide rollouts. 

Thirty-one percent of businesses reported advanced integration across the organisation, while another 26.5% are deploying AI across multiple departments.

The financial services sector, which accounted for 29% of respondents, is leading the charge. Customer service automation (49%), software development (46%), and marketing optimisation (32%) are the top use cases, all designed with privacy-by-design principles.

Skills, Barriers and Regulation

On challenges, despite rapid adoption, thirty-seven percent of companies revealed a lack of technical expertise as their biggest challenge, followed closely by privacy and security issues (35%). 

To close this gap, 69% of businesses are prioritising data analysis and interpretation, 53% are focusing on AI literacy, and 40% are investing in prompt engineering for generative AI.

Regulation is also impacting behaviour. Nearly 65% of organisations say awareness has increased since Nigeria’s Data Protection Act was introduced. Many conduct regular privacy audits (57%), minimise data used in AI training (57%), and require explainability of AI decisions (52%).

Why it Matters to Zoho

For Zoho, these findings on AI adoption and privacy, align directly with its positioning. The company has consistently rejected data monetisation in favour of privacy-first design, a stance that resonates with Nigerian businesses now investing heavily in privacy-conscious AI.

Zoho’s growth in Nigeria is being driven by demand for scalable, unified solutions. Its top-performing products in the country include Zoho Workplace (enterprise email and collaboration), Zoho Books (accounting software), Zoho Campaigns (marketing automation), and Zoho One (a suite of 55+ integrated business applications). 

Key customer sectors include IT services, financial services, energy, manufacturing, real estate, media, education, and retail.

In tying AI adoption to privacy protection, Nigerian businesses are gaining global competitive advantage, and for Zoho, this validates its belief in Nigeria, both as a high-growth market and as a model for how technology and trust can advance together.

9mobile and Microsoft put the event together to enlighten journalists on essential skills and knowledge to thrive in an increasingly technology-driven media industry.

Orimolade Oluwamuyemi, the senior business programme manager, Marketing Communications, Microsoft Africa Development Center, noted the importance of adopting innovation and leveraging technology to enhance journalistic practices. He said, “The Microsoft Garage provides the tools and resources needed for individuals to excel in their fields”, hence, the training program.

This event was an opportunity for journalists to learn new avenues for storytelling and engage with cutting-edge technologies.

Soromfe Uzomah, Principal Program Manager at Microsoft, highlighted the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing the media industry. He emphasized the ability of AI tools to simplify content creation processes, “AI is changing the way journalists work, enabling them to produce high-quality content more efficiently than ever before.” 

Insights into the practical applications of AI in journalism were explained, including natural language processing, image recognition, and speech-to-text conversion. The importance of data-driven storytelling and the role of AI in uncovering meaningful information from large datasets was also dissected.

Oluwamuyemi emphasized the need for journalists to embrace AI as a tool for innovation rather than a threat to traditional media practices. “AI can enable journalists to uncover new stories and engage with audiences in innovative ways, helping them stay ahead and adapt.”

Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to change the world, and according to Oluwamuyemi, it’s not a matter of if, but how we integrate it into our lives. 

Stressing the importance of using AI responsibly and ethically, Oluwamuyemi acknowledged the power of AI, highlighting its potential for both good and bad. He warned against neglecting AI, comparing it to the shift from typewriters to desktop computers. Those who fail to adapt, he argues, will be left behind.

However, Oluwamuyemi noted the dangers of deepfakes, fabricated videos that can be used to spread misinformation, as a prime example of irresponsible AI.

So, how can we ensure AI is used for good? Spotlight is placed on journalists, who are believed to have a key role to play in advocating for responsible AI.

But journalists aren’t the only ones who need to be responsible. Oluwamuyemi calls for content creators in general to prioritize ethical practices.

AI, particularly generative AI that produces entirely new information, can be a powerful tool for journalists. They must leverage AI’s capabilities while remaining aware of its limitations.

Essentially, Oluwamuyemi emphasized AI as an enabler. He argues that AI can enhance our abilities, not replace them. For journalists, this means using AI to improve storytelling, build brands, and protect reputations.

Ultimately, AI is a powerful tool, but like any tool, it can be misused. So, responsible development and use must be prioritized, ensuring AI benefits everyone.

Wanja Gitonga Discusses Microsoft Copilot for Communications Professionals

Wanja Gitonga, Communications and PR Lead for Africa at Microsoft, presented a session on Microsoft Copilot, an AI tool designed to assist communication professionals. 

What is Copilot? Wanja described Copilot as an AI companion, not an autopilot. It aims to assist communication professionals with various tasks to improve their efficiency and productivity.

Benefits of Copilot:

• Saves time on repetitive tasks across applications like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Generates summaries of documents and emails.
• Creates social media posts based on prompts and content.
• Analyzes data to identify trends and insights.
• Transforms documents into presentations (e.g., turning a Word doc into a PowerPoint).

Using Copilot Effectively:

To get the most out of Microsoft Copilot, it’s important to develop your “prompting” skills.  Think of prompts as instructions you give Copilot to complete a specific task. 

The clearer and more specific your prompts are, the better Copilot will understand your needs and deliver the desired output.

Aside providing clear and specific prompts with context, you also need to leverage different prompts for various functionalities (e.g., summarizing documents, creating presentations) and review prompts before using Copilot to ensure desired output.

Wanja assured that Copilot is not meant to replace human communication professionals. Rather, it empowers them to be more strategic by taking care of mundane tasks.

Communication professionals can leverage Copilot to focus on creative storytelling, relationship building, and strategic communication.

Wanja Gitonga assured communication professionals that Microsoft Copilot isn’t here to take their jobs. Instead, it functions as an empowering assistant, handling the repetitive tasks that often eat away at valuable time. 

This newfound efficiency allows communication professionals to shift their focus towards the more strategic aspects of their work. They can leverage Copilot’s capabilities to free themselves up for creative storytelling, building strong relationships, and creating impactful communication plans.

The future of communication will be heavily influenced by the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools like Microsoft Copilot. However, alongside the undeniable benefits, there’s a need for responsible AI development and use. Here’s why:

• Ethical Considerations: AI-generated content can raise ethical concerns, particularly around plagiarism and the potential for bias.
• Human-Centric Approach: Communication at its core is a human endeavor. AI tools should complement and empower human communication professionals, not replace them.
• Transparency and Trust: Building trust with audiences is important for any communicator. Transparency about the use of AI tools is essential.

It is acknowledged that the benefits of AI are potentially far-reaching, from enabling businesses to digitise more efficiently (providing customers with a more personalised and streamlined experience), to reducing the carbon impact of our networks.

That AI is powerful is indisputable, but how best to wield it in a responsible and ethical way remains up for debate.

At BT, we believe that AI should be combined with human intelligence, governed by safe and ethical standards to unlock value for our customers and colleagues in alignment with our purpose to ‘connect for good.’

AI is already reshaping the world of work for the foreseeable future. Our joint research with Cisco found that 78% of business and IT executives now view AI and virtual assistant technologies as a new workplace colleague in supporting team members.

Therefore, it’s business-critical to support our colleagues as the transition to AI in the workplace takes effect.

Additionally, it’s similarly important to underscore that AI-infused solutions will create new roles that require evolved skills, opening opportunities to up and reskill, including in roles that AI will augment or create.

To harness AI for growth, every organisation needs to play their part through responsible adoption at scale and for the benefit of all.

At BT, our responsible AI approach is built on strong foundations of data governance, privacy, security, sustainability, and woven into our data fabric – a key enabling platform that helps streamline and embed these principles in the way data is accessed and used across our business.

One example is our recently launched Global Fabric. This platform showcases ethical AI integration and its tangible benefits, notably enabling a potential 79% reduction in electricity usage – a consequential step towards cutting Scope 3 carbon emissions – achieved through its AI-powered digital orchestration layer.

By combining human intelligence and artificial intelligence, organisations can truly harness the power of AI when leveraged safely and ethically to the benefit of employees, end users, and the broader community at large.

Speaking at Microsoft Ignite 2023, Satya Nadella, the Company’s CEO, said: “We’re about to enter this fascinating new era of AI, where it’s no longer just a novel and fascinating technology.”

AI, and more specifically generative AI, is leading the technology charge, and as 2024 commences, Techeconomy joined Ayanda Ngcebetsha, director:  Data and AI at Microsoft South Africa, for the inaugural session of the Microsoft Journalist Academy, held virtually across select African countries, Nigeria inclusive.

Ngcebetsha stressed the importance of AI tools in summarising reports, carrying out accurate research, imputing language translation and coordinating several meetings in one day, while making the best use of the available time.

Microsoft Journalist Academy provided the multinational technology corporation, another opportunity to debunk the widespread misconception that Artificial Intelligence (AI) would take over jobs.

He said although 2023 was the year AI went mainstream, 2024 would be the year in which AI tools would help free up time for more creative and fulfilling cognitive work.

Speaking specifically about Microsoft Copilot, Ngcebetsha identified the AI tool as capable of assisting content developers in writing, coding, summarising and searching for specific information like charts and tables that would help them develop good reports in less time.

According to Ngcebetsha, copilot is like a personal assistant that works alongside the user in all sorts of digital applications, helping with things like writing, coding, summarising and searching. It can also help the user to make decisions and understand lots of data.

The recent development of large language models made copilots possible, allowing them to comprehend natural human language and provide answers, create content or take action as people work within different computer programs.

“Copilots are built with Responsible AI guardrails to make sure they are safe and secure and are used in a good way. Just like a copilot in an airplane, it’s not in charge, but it’s a tool that can help you be more productive and efficient,” the director:  Data and AI at Microsoft South Africa, said.

Ngcebetsha further explained that in searching for specific information, the researcher must input key words that would pop up specific information within few seconds, adding that chief executive officers can leverage on AI tools to arrange and attend several meetings, even if unprepared.

10. Interesting Facts about Microsoft Copilot

1. Microsoft Copilot in Power Bi
2. Microsoft’s new Copilot will change Office documents forever
3. Microsoft also has a multiplayer Copilot experience
4. Copilot in (new) Powerpoint
5. Copilot in Power Platform
6. Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365
7. Power Automate Copilot
8. Introducing Copilot in Sharepoint
9. Semantic Index for Copilot
10. Copilot in Loop

Responsible AI, powered by robust analytics, has become a crucial enabler in today’s technology-driven world, according to industry experts who attended the SAS Innovation Day held in Sandton.

Responsible AI refers to the manner in which organisations employ AI technologies while adhering to principles that promote the greater good, safeguard individuals and their fundamental rights, and ensure the trustworthiness of AI applications.

“However, many people still need to acquire a foundational understanding of what AI is and what it is not. One of the most valuable contributions responsible innovators can make is a campaign to raise public awareness about AI. Increased awareness enables adoption, and through adoption, business and public leaders can better comprehend their responsibility to ensure AI technologies are used responsibly,” says Olivier Penel, Head of Global Advisory at SAS.

Although AI has nearly limitless potential, it does not mean that there should be no boundaries. The regulatory environment is developing quickly to provide organisations with legal parameters regarding AI usage. However, catch-up is necessary, especially considering how rapidly platforms like ChatGPT have been adopted since their launch at the end of the previous year.

“It is essential that AI does not discriminate between different groups of people. This can be achieved through proactive monitoring of bias in the data used to train models, in the output of model scoring against diverse groups, and in the fairness of decisions made with predictive models. While all datasets are biased, this can be detected and mitigated,” Penel adds.

According to Paul Morley, Executive Group Data Services at Nedbank, the current digital revolution calls for a different approach than many people might think.

“We got it wrong,” Morley states. “Our understanding of the ‘digital revolution’ was incorrect. It was never about digital, data and AI being integrated into our world and context. It was about us learning to live alongside digital, data and AI.”

“However, these technologies have advanced beyond what was once believed possible – and we now need to find a way to coexist with AI. This entails understanding how to utilise digital technologies and insights to enhance all aspects of our lives. AI affects industries, social wellbeing, jobs, education, hobbies, and entertainment. Nothing is exempt from AI’s impact,” Morley adds.

Morley asserts that this necessitates learning and understanding AI, becoming familiar with it, or risking obsolescence. “AI can fulfil any data role, so people do not need to be experts but should be open to just-in-time learning to benefit from AI and use it for innovation. For instance, AI can optimise data and alter code in real-time. The implications of this are profound. Quite simply, it has the potential to transform everything around us. We must adapt to AI or fall behind.”

Ravi Bhat, Chief Technology Officer at Microsoft Africa, believes that responsible AI should be an integral component of future solutions. It is about incorporating responsible AI into an ecosystem that offers an invaluable platform for sustainable innovation.

“AI advancements continue to significantly contribute to enhancing human productivity, critical thinking, creativity, and accelerating data analytics and management. As with any powerful technology, there is a need for responsibility when creating and working with AI. This necessitates the implementation of appropriate policies to ensure that the technology is developed and used responsibly and ethically.”

By collaborating with a diverse range of people, companies can reinforce their responsible AI ecosystem while developing tailored solutions that meet today’s customers’ unique needs. Utilising cross-functional teams to focus on enriching AI in relevant ways is a building block for future business success.

“As discussions on AI-related policies intensify, we need approaches that protect privacy and uphold rights while still allowing for positive uses of the technology to continue. To disseminate the benefits of AI as widely as possible, we recommend risk-based strategies that are outcome-focused and adaptable, and that align with international norms and standards so that organisations can collaborate across borders and access state of the art technology,” says Bhat.

DSN – Data Scientists Network (also known as Data Science Nigeria), in collaboration with Microsoft and the Federal Government of Nigeria, successfully organized a groundbreaking Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) Workshop at the Microsoft Nigeria office on Friday, 16th June 2023.

The workshop brought together data science professionals, start-ups and academic researchers to explore the amazing possibilities that the new Microsoft Responsible AI Dashboard brings as a comprehensive platform designed to assess, review, and address biases in AI models and systems.

This pioneer tool is designed to assist users in developing inclusive, less harmful, and less biased AI models.

Reflecting on the event, Winnie Karanu, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) Philanthropies Lead at Microsoft, reiterated the company’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital skills development.

She stated;

“Microsoft is proud to support Nigeria’s Digital Skills development in partnership with the Federal Government of Nigeria. We are aiming to provide access to digital skills training, from digital literacy to advanced training, for young people in the country. This will include the provision of free Microsoft certification and job readiness support, including capacity building on the responsible implementation of AI, an area Microsoft is deeply focused on.”

The workshop commenced with an interactive panel discussion aimed at demystifying the concept of Responsible AI across different sectors.

The panelists from various industries shared practical examples of responsible AI implementation in their industries, illustrating the importance of incorporating ethical considerations into AI development for positive impact on the society.

The diverse perspectives offered a holistic understanding of responsible AI practices, inspiring attendees to embrace these principles in their respective fields.

The session concluded with a practical hands-on segment, facilitated by Ruth Yakubu, Microsoft’s Principal Cloud Advocate, and supported by Microsoft-trained trainers.

This immersive session provided the participants with valuable experience in utilizing the Microsoft Responsible AI Dashboard. Participants actively engaged with the platform, exploring its functionalities and learning how to identify and rectify biases in AI models. The practical nature of the session enabled attendees to apply their newfound knowledge directly to their work, fostering a deeper understanding of responsible AI implementation.

In his word, Dr Bayo Adekanmbi, the CEO and Lead consultant at DSN (Data Science Nigeria), Microsoft’s strategic partner on the project, said;

“Microsoft is raising the standard through a large scale capacity building that also includes an intentional capacity building in Responsible Artificial Intelligence, which aims to prepare Nigerian youths to leverage their AI skills to build more trustworthy and less harmful AI models that can support inclusive and equitable nation building across important sectors like Health, Finance, Agriculture, Education, etc.”

Feedback from the participants highlighted the workshop’s significance and its relevance to their current endeavors.

Many participants expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn from industry experts and gain practical insights that will enhance their professional value and influence how they contribute to the development of an equitable society.

The Microsoft Responsible AI Dashboard was widely praised for its user-friendly interface and robust features, which facilitate the development of AI models that prioritize inclusivity and fairness.

This collaboration between Microsoft, DSN, and the Federal Government of Nigeria exemplifies a shared vision to promote digital inclusivity and equip the Nigerian youth with the necessary skills for the digital age.

By leveraging the power of responsible AI, this initiative seeks to ensure that AI technologies are developed and implemented ethically, fostering a fair and equitable digital future for all. `