By Angeline Mgbele, Bureau Chief, North

The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) Of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta  has said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of the digital era with its potential to revolutionize industries, enhance productivity, and improve the quality of life for citizens beyond  overstatement even as he underscored the need to emplace factors congenial to unlocking AI’s potentials.

Prof Danbatta made this disclosure while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 11th Edition of the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition (DACE) from September 19 – 21, 2023 At Reiz Continental Hotel, Abuja, north central, Nigeria. The NCC EVC/CEO was represented  by the Head, Consumer Information and Education at the Commission, Dr. Emilia Nwokolo.

Stated Danbata: “ I am delighted to stand before you today as we gather at the 11th edition of the Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition. The theme for this year’s event is “Artificial Intelligence and Africa,” which is both timely and significant. It attests to our commitment to harnessing the power of technology to drive economic growth, social development, and innovation across the African continent.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most transformative technologies of our time. Its potential to revolutionize industries, enhance productivity, and improve the quality of life for citizens cannot be overstated. As the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), I believe that AI will play a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s digital future. There are several examples of AI-powered software in use in our daily lives, including voice assistants, face recognition for unlocking mobile phones, fingerprint biometrics, and machine learning-based financial fraud detection.

“In recent years, we have witnessed remarkable advancements in AI across various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, finance, transportation, education, and even governance. AI-powered solutions have the potential to address some of Africa’s most pressing challenges, such as limited access to healthcare, food security, financial inclusion, and infrastructure development.

However, for Africa to fully embrace the benefits of AI, we must address several critical factors. First, we must invest in building the necessary digital infrastructure. This includes expanding broadband connectivity.

In Nigeria, as of July 2023, the broadband penetration stood at 47.01 per cent. Also, the continent must commit to ensuring reliable power supply and fostering a conducive regulatory environment. Without robust infrastructure, the potential of AI will remain untapped, and the digital divide will further widen.

“Secondly, we must prioritize digital skills development. AI technologies require a skilled workforce capable of developing, deploying, and maintaining these systems. We need to invest in education and training programmes that equip our youth with the necessary skills to participate in the AI-driven economy. By nurturing a generation of AI experts, we can elevate Africa’s position in the global AI landscape and create job opportunities for our youth.

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.

Collaboration and partnerships are also crucial in unlocking the potential of AI in Africa. We must foster collaboration among governments, regulatory bodies, academia, the private sector, and civil society. By working together, we can share knowledge, pool resources together, and leverage expertise to drive innovation and create an enabling environment for AI adoption.”

According to the NCC boss, the Nigerian Communications Commission was fully committed to supporting the development and deployment of AI technologies in Nigeria and across the continent and was working to create an enabling regulatory framework that promoted innovation while safeguarding the interests of consumers and citizens while adding his agency  was also collaborating with stakeholders to establish AI research and development centres, incubation hubs, and startup ecosystems to nurture homegrown AI talent.

In his estimation, the theme of this year’s conference, “Artificial Intelligence and Africa,” offered us a glimpse into the immense possibilities that lay ahead adding AI held the power to transform our societies, drive economic growth, and improve the well-being of our people and appealed to stakeholders to work together to build an inclusive, sustainable, and AI-powered Africa.