Get Guardian on GoogleThe Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo has tasked Information Technology professionals to ensure proper and responsible application and deployment of Artificial intelligence (AI) for general transformation.
Soludo spoke after declaring open the three day South-East Zonal IT Assembly and Workshop in Awka, Anambra State themed “Technology Enhanced Development In an Era of Artificial intelligence: The Props and Cons.”
Represented by his deputy , Dr. Onyeka Ibezim, the governor said the administration’s dream is to make modern-day technology available everyday and everywhere.
Soludo observed that the new application has come to stay and despite certain pessimism, the government is concerned with utilisation of the positive aspects to transform the lives of the citizens today while hoping for a better tomorrow .
The Governor recalled that his administration has been intentional on provision of IT resources and improvement of skills of youths through one youth, two skills initiative and the overall goal of creating One Million Digital Tribe.
Welcoming the participants, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Innovation and Business Incubation, Chinwe Okoli, said that Governor Charles Soludo’s conviction in keying into ICT is that Anambra’s future would be built on a knowledge economy, and that economy would be powered by the people; saying that Anambra’s task has always been to build young men and women with skills that are competitive at home and exportable to the world.
Okoli who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Solution Innovation District (SID), Ms observed that through the 1 Million Anambra Digital Tribe Initiative and the Code Anambra Programs, no fewer than 264,000 indigenes of Anambra State have acquired free digital skills training and empowerment.
According to her, SID supports 111 active startups, and has deployed the sum of N364 million in seed funding., hinting that the state targets one million beneficiaries by the year 2030.
Speaking during the event, the Keynote Speaker and Vice Chancellor of University on the Niger, Anambra State, Professor Chinedu Nebo hailed governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and the Chinwe Okoli-led Solution Innovation District for creating platforms for youths to leverage on technology to transform their lives and take their destiny in their hands.
The one-time Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria observed that technology enhanced development in an era of Artificial intelligence, stressing that technology is an instrument, development and objective and human beings remain ultimate success.
Development becomes sustainable when people become active participants.”
He noted that the dawn of AI brings to the fire that “we are living through defining moments in history. He said that we must teach our children AI so that we can produce students who can think about AI rather than rely solely on it. Nebo said AI doesn’t exist to displace human efforts, but to equip human beings on how best to use information generated from it.
The Vice Chancellor noted that AI can be applied in different fields of human endeavours and tasked stakeholders to deploy AI specifically to tackle pressing national needs and challenges in electricity, infrastructure, education, healthcare, unemployment , finance, agriculture, power, and industrial productivity.
While noting that human beings can use AI to expand frontiers of knowledge, he cautioned that contents from AI shouldn’t be assumed as the more correct without being subjected to professional evaluation or human judgment.” AI generators without scrutiny may introduce errors.
According to him, technological advancement should prioritize ethical responsibility and be intentionally harnessed to improve human welfare. He called for preparation of locally-adaptive technology which can enable the country to transit seamlessly.
Nebo said that the use of AI can’t be good if a substantial number of people are left behind, calling for an inclusivity in the application and use of AI that accommodates physically challenged, underserved members of the society, women, etc.
The presenter decried challenges associated with AI applications or use, especially social discrimination, historical inequality, phishing, digital divide, data/privacy breach, and weak access control.
Nebo called for establishment of AI Innovation Centres, skills and mentorship initiative linking students for early access and adaptation to IT, annual Innovation scorecard, and creation of responsible AI framework to promote cyber security, etc.
He called on governments across all levels to create an enabling environment through provision of reliance infrastructure, investment, education, research and procurement services which reward innovation.
Contributing , the South-East Zonal Coordinator of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), and Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria, Chidiebere Ugwuegbulam noted that the event represents shared commitment to bring the people of South-East Zone, organizations, and expertise together for the development of the Zone.
Earlier in his address, the chairman, Nigeria Computer Society, Anambra State Chapter, Engr Okeya Chukwemeka David, said that the epic gathering signposts a significant chatter in the collective commitment to advancing digital innovation, strengthening professional collaboration, promoting technological development, and harnessing the transformative power of Information Technology for sustainable regional and national growth.
While expressing gratitude to Governor Charles Soludo for his visionary leadership, generous support and commitment to positioning Anambra State as a leading destination for technology, innovation and digital transformation, Okeya urged participants to look beyond the conversations to meaningful partnerships, practical solutions, knowledge exchange and actionable commitments with lasting impact that would strengthen the South East’s position in Nigeria’s digital economy.
