The Executive Vice-Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Umar Danbatta, has declared that Artificial Intelligence, AI, will play a major role in shaping Africa’s digital future.
Danbatta made the declaration on Tuesday when delivering a keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the 11th edition of the Digital African Conference and Exhibition, DACE, in Abuja.
He however said unless good infrastructure was put in place, the potential of AI would remain untapped and cause the digital divide to widen.
The continent, he pointed out, must commit to ensuring reliable power supply and fostering a conducive regulatory environment.
READ ALSO: Have Yoruba Obas lost their mojo? (1), By Bola Bolawole
He added too that in order to maximize the benefit of AI, there was the need to prioritize digital skills development.
Stressing that AI technologies required a skilled workforce capable of developing, deploying, and maintaining the systems, the NCC boss said there was need to invest in education and training programmes that equip youths with the necessary skills to participate in the AI-driven economy.
According to him, by nurturing a generation of AI experts, Africa could be elevated to high level in the global AI landscape and create job opportunities for African youths.
“Moreover, ethical considerations must underpin our approach to AI. As we deploy AI systems, we must ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness. We must guard against biases, protect privacy and data security, and uphold human rights. AI should be a force for good, promoting inclusivity and leaving no one behind,” Danbatta said.
