Kano State Commissioner for Info, Science, Know-how and Innovation, Dr. Yusuf Ibrahim Kofar Mata, has introduced a state initiative to develop a Hausa-language Synthetic Intelligence (AI) chatbot geared toward making digital instruments accessible to grassroots communities.
Talking through the inaugural version of the Digital Tech Coverage Discussion board organised by the Centre for Info Know-how and Growth (CITAD) in Kano, Dr. Kofar Mata mentioned the chatbot would supply farmers, college students, and merchants with very important data on well being, training, and commerce of their native language.
“This venture will deliver AI to our grassroots,” he mentioned. “Farmers, college students, and merchants will be capable of entry very important data on well being, training, and commerce in their very own language.”
He additionally revealed that the Ministry would assign a everlasting consultant to the Discussion board and arrange a committee to make sure that AI coverage discussions align with state planning.
The Discussion board, held below the theme “In the direction of a Nationwide AI Coverage,” gathered lecturers, policymakers, and know-how consultants to debate moral, governance, and infrastructural challenges shaping Nigeria’s digital panorama.
In his opening remarks, CITAD Govt Director, Malam Yunusa Zakari Ya’u, mentioned the initiative was meant to foster steady dialogue between policymakers, academia, and civil society on rising digital points.
“Our purpose is to make sure that know-how coverage in Nigeria is proactive, not reactive,” Ya’u mentioned. “This Discussion board will bridge analysis and coverage, guaranteeing improvements like AI are guided by ethics, inclusivity, and human-centered values.”
Ya’u additionally introduced that the Discussion board would maintain month-to-month periods to deal with vital digital coverage issues, stressing {that a} sturdy nationwide AI coverage is vital to constructing public belief in technology-driven governance.
Through the discussions, contributors highlighted the absence of a nationwide AI framework, infrastructure gaps, moral dangers, and issues over knowledge privateness and algorithmic bias as main challenges.
Dr. Hadiza Umar, Head of the Division of Pc Science at Bayero College, Kano, warned that the speedy adoption of AI applied sciences requires pressing coverage interventions.
“AI is remodeling sectors from training to well being and agriculture, however with out regulation, it may well deepen inequality,” she mentioned. “We’d like a roadmap that balances innovation with accountability.”
Engr. Rabi’u Haruna, former Chairman of the Kano Chapter of the Affiliation of Skilled Our bodies of Nigeria (APBN), harassed the significance of collaboration amongst authorities, academia, and business stakeholders.
“Coverage with out skilled enter is not going to work,” he mentioned. “The federal government should seek the advice of consultants to construct an AI ecosystem that serves Nigerians, not exploits them.”
Dr. Sanah Abdullahi Mu’az of Bayero College’s Software program Engineering Division cautioned towards the misuse of AI in training.
“We’re already seeing AI-enabled plagiarism amongst college students,” she famous. “Universities should undertake clear AI-use insurance policies to guard tutorial integrity whereas selling accountable innovation.”
The Discussion board concluded with a consensus that Nigeria should transfer from being a passive client of international AI applied sciences to an lively innovator and regulator within the international AI ecosystem.
“The way forward for AI in Nigeria depends upon insurance policies that focus not simply on know-how, however on folks, belief, and shared prosperity,” Ya’u mentioned.
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