(4-6-2024) 10 Latest Artificial Intelligence News from Nigeria

Here are the latest developments in artificial intelligence (AI) in Nigeria.

National AI Policy Draft Completion: Nigeria has completed the draft of its National Policy on Artificial Intelligence. This policy aims to guide the development and deployment of AI in Nigeria, addressing potential risks such as bias, privacy violations, and job displacement.

AI Adoption in Healthcare: AI is being increasingly used in Nigeria’s healthcare sector. Innovations include AI-driven diagnostic tools and personalized treatment plans, which are expected to improve patient outcomes and streamline medical processes.

NITDA and Cisco Partnership: The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Cisco to promote AI in smart agriculture, among other sectors. This partnership aims to leverage AI for enhanced productivity and innovation in Nigeria.

AI in Cybersecurity: AI is playing a crucial role in Nigeria's cybersecurity efforts. The technology is used to detect and counter cyber threats, analyze large data volumes for potential vulnerabilities, and protect sensitive information from cyber-attacks.

AI and Job Market Transformation: AI is significantly impacting Nigeria’s job market by creating new roles while automating some existing ones. The government is focusing on retraining and upskilling workers to adapt to these changes.

National Centre for AI and Robotics: The National Centre for AI and Robotics continues to spearhead AI research and development in Nigeria. The centre collaborates with universities and private sector partners to advance AI technologies and applications.

Ethical AI Development: NITDA’s Nigerian AI Strategy and Policy Framework emphasizes ethical AI development, addressing issues like bias, discrimination, and data privacy. This framework provides guidelines to ensure AI is developed responsibly and benefits all Nigerians.

AI in Education: AI is being integrated into Nigeria’s education system to enhance learning experiences. AI-powered tools are used to personalize education, provide tutoring, and assist teachers in managing classrooms more effectively.

AI Summit Highlights: The recent Artificial Intelligence Summit highlighted ongoing research in AI and its applications across various sectors in Nigeria. It also underscored the government's commitment to fostering AI innovation to boost economic growth.

AI Policy Recommendations: Experts recommend that Nigerian policymakers develop a comprehensive AI policy, invest in AI research and development, and promote AI education to harness the full potential of AI while mitigating associated risks.