Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a transformative technology with the potential to revolutionize production and service delivery across industries. Recent projections suggest that AI could add up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, driven by $3 trillion in productivity gains and $9.1 trillion from the introduction of new products and services (PwC, 2018).
In Africa, the strategic adoption of AI is projected to contribute an impressive $234 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2030. Nigeria, with its dynamic technology startup ecosystem—having secured 25% of the $1.3 billion in funding allocated to African tech startups in 2021—is well-positioned to leverage AI for economic diversification and inclusive growth. As a leading innovator in Africa, and led by the current Minster of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, Nigeria is taking steps to harness AI’s potential through the development of one of the first National AI Strategies of it’s kind.
Despite the significant opportunities AI presents, it also brings complex socio-technical challenges. The deployment of AI in high-stakes areas such as healthcare, finance, and security raises important concerns about ethics, bias, transparency, job automation, and privacy. Policymakers and researchers agree on the necessity of a human-centered approach to ensure that AI systems are fair, accountable, and beneficial to all demographic groups.
To guide this transformation, Nigeria is crafting a National AI Strategy that aims to responsibly steer the AI revolution toward achieving national objectives related to job creation, social inclusion, and sustainable development. By fostering collaborative leadership, Nigeria intends to pioneer ethical and inclusive AI innovation that enhances welfare and creates opportunities for all its citizens.
Building on the efforts of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), this initiative expands its co-creation approach to include top AI researchers and experts of Nigerian descent from around the globe and locally.
The approach involved analyzing data from Lens, the same source utilized by McKinsey for their “Technology Trends Outlook 2023.” They first extracted all AI-related articles authored by researchers affiliated with Nigerian institutions, resulting in 1,349 publications and 5,127 records when split by author. At a global level, they analyzed data on the top 50,000 published AI journal articles from the past six years (2018-2023), leading to 299,905 total publications and 1,195,598 observations when split by authors. After merging these datasets, the team was able to achieve a total of 1,201,366 observations, ensuring comprehensive coverage of top AI researchers.
Sonny Iroche
Chairman of GenAi Learning Concepts Ltd. Who first made the strategy document public posted on his LinkedIN:“I’m pleased to present Nigeria’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Report, crafted with the input of Nigerian AI experts from around the world. This framework marks Nigeria as a trailblazer in Africa’s AI landscape. It is now up to the public and private sectors to collaborate in ensuring AI readiness and implementing the ethical guidelines outlined in this document. The NAIS is a living document, adaptable to the evolving AI landscape.”
Stanislaus Martins
Marketing and Technology Leader shared his views:“I am personally excited to see our proactive stance with the National AI Strategy. This strategy is without a doubt poised to revolutionize sectors such as healthcare, education, business and agriculture, driving economic growth and innovation. By focusing on ethical AI use and regulatory frameworks, Nigeria will address data privacy and algorithmic biases responsibly. Continuous collaboration across sectors and ministries is crucial for developing a robust AI ecosystem and maximizing its benefits for all Nigerians. Well done to the Minister who is championing this.”
Olatunbosun Tijani
Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy also shared on his LinkedIN:“In April, we convened AI experts of Nigerian descent to develop a strategic roadmap for leveraging AI ethically for national development. I am delighted to release the draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (NAIS) for public review. We believe this strategy will guide our efforts towards achieving goals in job creation, social inclusion, and sustainable development. We welcome public input to refine and enhance this vital document.”
Image Source: Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani’s X’s display photo
Nigeria’s National AI Strategy represents a significant milestone in leveraging AI for national progress. By emphasizing ethical practices and inclusive innovation, Nigeria aims to fully realize AI’s potential, improving the quality of life and establishing itself as a leader in the global AI landscape.
You can download the draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy below or at this link here: https://bit.ly/nais-2024.
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