NCS SYMPOSIUM ADVOCATES FOR DEVELOPMENT OF AI POLICY TO FOSTER EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION IN NIGERIA
Dr. Salisu Mamman Abdulrahman, an associate professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Faculty of Computing and Mathematical Sciences, Kano State University of Science and Technology (KUST), emphasized the importance of an AI policy during the forum. He suggested that such a policy would facilitate the establishment of AI infrastructure in tertiary institutions nationwide and promote AI development in Nigeria. Abdulrahman highlighted the necessity for collaboration between AI stakeholders and academia to drive innovation and contribute to national growth.
He emphasized the creation of an AI database to support research and innovation, stating that AI, defined as a machine’s ability to think like a human and display human intelligence, has seen significant global investments. Despite being in its early stages in Nigeria, various sectors, including education, are integrating AI into their operations. Abdulrahman acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), in developing policies and strategies for AI in Nigeria.
Abdulrahman explained that AI’s application could stimulate economic growth by simulating games from both the supply and demand sides. He noted the federal government’s commitment to funding startups to develop AI in Nigeria, with the potential for AI to contribute up to $15 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
To promote AI in education, Abdulrahman called for skills development in areas such as Machine Language, Big Data, Robotics, Deep Learning, and Data Science. He emphasized the importance of acquiring soft skills about AI and urged organizations and government agencies to heavily invest in AI to enhance research and development in the educational system.
Another keynote speaker, Prof. Abejide Ade-Ibijola from the University of Johannesburg, South Africa, discussed the future of education with AI. He described AI as computers with minds and intelligence, highlighting its potential in supporting learning and innovation through intelligent thinking, automated grading, data analytics, predictive analysis, and content generation.
Dr. Muhammad Sirajo Aliyu, the President of NCS, explained that the forum aimed to bring stakeholders together to discuss the impact of AI in education and how the sector could leverage AI for innovation and advance research. The theme of the conference focused on emerging technologies, including AI, to promote innovation and excellence in academics.
In a goodwill message, Prof. Idris Muhammad Bugaje, the executive secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), emphasized the necessity of embracing technology like AI in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution. He highlighted the transformative power of AI in education and encouraged educational institutions to align with these developments for national growth in today’s digital era.
News Source: Techeconomy
