NITDA DG Stresses Importance of AI in National Development
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NITDA DG Stresses Importance of AI in National Development
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
In a keynote address at the 2023 Security and Spokespersons Awards and Conference in Abuja on Thursday, Kashifu Inuwa CCIE, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), has emphasized the crucial role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing productivity across vital sectors of the nation’s economy.
Highlighting AI’s transformative impact on daily lives, Inuwa underscored that it extends beyond being a tool, representing a novel approach to human-machine relationships.
He noted the imperative to shift towards developing systems that address specific human needs, rather than merely relying on AI as a tool for daily activities.
In addressing the benefits of emerging technologies, particularly AI, Inuwa acknowledged the importance of understanding and controlling the algorithms powering social media to prevent unintended consequences.
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He stressed the necessity for “explainability in AI,” urging industry practitioners to avoid AI becoming a “black box” that operates without understanding the rationale behind its decisions.
In the context of global efforts to decipher AI functionalities and establish policies, Inuwa outlined Nigeria’s three-pronged approach: AI-ready principles, data readiness, and AI-ready security.
He highlighted the importance of setting redlines for AI, expressing the agency’s commitment to developing a National AI Policy collaboratively.
The Director-General disclosed that Nigeria, under the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is actively pursuing AI-driven diversification of the economy. Initiatives include a call for research, offering grants to forty-five researchers focusing on AI applications in health, education, agriculture, finance, security, and more.
Inuwa asserted Nigeria’s competitive advantage in digital technological innovation, citing abundant resources, talents, and a youthful population.
