VICTOR OSHODI x-rays the Atlantic Declaration inked between the President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Britain, pointing out the vital lessons Nigeria can leverage upon to bolster her economic growth.

A few days ago, President Biden and PM Sunak signed the Atlantic Declaration, a collection of many agreements aimed at boosting economic ties between the US and the UK and to cut off adversaries. 

I will focus on science, technology, Artificial Intelligence, 5G/6G, and semiconductors which aim to power future economic growth,  in the agreement and also,  an attempt to close ranks.

Data 

Sharing data across borders is a fact of life for all organizations doing business or operating internationally. Yet, doing so in compliance with privacy laws has become one of the most vexing and complex issues for organizations of all stripes and sizes.

AI

The velocity associated with the technological development and integration of AI is being matched by AI governance initiatives around the world. There are consultations, draft laws, public-private sandboxes, codes of conduct, and regulatory guidelines appearing from Australia to Canada, via Singapore, and many places in between.

PETS

Privacy-enhancing technologies are being increasingly cheered on as a paradigm shift to the oft-characterized zero-sum tension between privacy and data utilization. PETs can help unlock more value out of data, while preserving or even enhancing privacy rights, and are seen as a key component of AI governance.

This is the right time for the Nigerian government to wake up to the modern-day realities, we have seen how other countries are strengthening ties with allies, doing everything possible to ensure cooperation and agreement, which will boost development in all areas of the economy and, of course, in science and technology.

This is also the right time to start looking inward on our institutions and the Ministry of Science and Technology has almost about 11 or 13 parastatals overseeing different agencies that have to do with science and technology.  If artificial intelligence over the years has not developed under the ministry it  is the right time for the ministry start looking inward  to stimulate some form of  organization in this area.

The ministry should start looking at ways it can improve the use of data and the use artificial intelligence and science for the betterment of our society.  Of course, this can only happen when a whole lot is known about the activities of these agencies and the drive which is to build cooperation with other foreign agencies in order to be among the top global economies driving change.  Some countries are already aligning together  and we must not be left behind  to ensure that our country gets the best of alliances that will help us to improve in science and technology for the greater good of our people and of course, alliances that will also assist in regulating science and artificial intelligence to ensure that key players and the industries make the best use of it for the sole purpose of development and business growth for the country.

• Oshodi , an International Business Consultant and Project Management Expert @ Pearly Bleuwaters International Limited  is  Country Director of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI-Nigeria) (formerly the American Association for Artificial Intelligence).
• Editor’s Note: This article was first published by https://aaai.com.ng/ It has been slightly edited.
• Some content is credited to Joe Jones, IAPP Staff Contributor