The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, NiDCOM, has initiated its Artificial Intelligence, AI, assistant and emergency call lines, to facilitate efficient communication with Nigerians abroad, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Head of Media and Public Relations of the commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, stated that the AI assistant was an automated messaging solution that encouraged natural language processing.
Its algorithms (a set of instructions or codes designed to carry out a specific task) have been deliberately developed to assist Nigerians in the diaspora and Nigerians in general to access valuable information.
In addition, the chatbot will always be available round the clock to provide quick and timely information to Nigerians pertaining inquiries about NiDCOM or the COVID-19 pandemic or any other necessary information.
The type of Artificial Intelligence technology innovation brought forward by the commission’s chairman, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, was described as a testimony to the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was leaving no stone unturned to ensure Nigerians got reliable information they deserved, especially during the pandemic as the world remained on lockdown.
With the chatbot, Nigerians, anywhere in the world, are said to be one chat away to obtain necessary information, particularly speedy and up-to-date news on various issues of national interest.
The AI assistant is said to be easy to operate and accessible via smart phones and other digital devices such as Personal Computers (PCs), Tablets and Desktops.
Meanwhile, NiDCOM has provided emergency lines for which Nigerians abroad can contact the Commission: +1234 222 2161; +1 888-644-2372.
On the return of Nigerians stranded abroad, NIDCOM noted that the Minister of Foreign Affairs would give necessary directive to the missions on the next steps.
According to Dabiri-Erewa, 2,000 Nigerians had expressed their willingness to leave their host countries to come home following the pandemonium caused by the coronavirus.
Most of the applicants seeking to return home are not Nigerians resident abroad, but Nigerians who travelled for one reason or the other and got stranded.
The AI assistant and emergency call lines are ready to go live soon via various messaging platforms eg *NIDCOM AI ASSISTANT ON FACEBOOK.*
