NAN-H-89
Technology
By Tolu Aiyegbusi
Abuja, Feb. 21, 2018 (NAN) Dr Mohammed Kyari, the Senior Scientific Officer, African Union Scientific, Technical and Research Commission (AU- STRC), has urged AU member states to embrace the use of emerging technologies in artificial intelligence.
Kyari was addressing the 15-member state delegation from the African Diplomatic Group at a meeting at the AU- STRC headquarter on Wednesday in Abuja.
The African Diplomatic Group, made up of ambassadors from the countries, is chaired by Amb. Alfred Nelson Williams, the High Commissioner of Sierra Leon.
He said embracing the use of artificial intelligence by member states would boost the African economy and place the continent on a global map positively.
He told the scientist that African Union Commission (AUC) had set up a high level panel on emerging technologies in order to assist member states to embrace emerging technologies.
“ The AUC is has set up African Union High level panel on emerging technologies in a bid to advise member states on how Africa should harness emerging technologies.
“Embracing and putting emerging technologies to use by member states is integral to achieving one of the AUC core agenda,’’ he said.
Kyari said by 2021, an international research firm, OVUM had predicted that emerging technologies in artificial intelligence would be worth 7.5 dollars million in Africa.
“ Based on the predictions of the international the research firm, OVUM, the continent should never miss the economic opportunities in emerging technologies,’’ he said.
He also urged the represented member states on the need to link research to overcome economic developmental challenges.
“Scientists in member states are to be encouraged to link their research work to community challenges and think of inclusive innovation where such communities are carried along,’’ he said.
Kyari said that Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) was a major pathway for Africa’s economic prosperity and advancement.
“There is power in STI to take a lead as a driving force for economic advancement and prosperity.
“For this advancement and prosperity to be achieved, we all have to prioritise STI as a key player to Africa’s economy,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that emerging technologies in artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an umbrella term that encompasses everything from robotic process automation to actual robotics.
AIs have generalised human cognitive abilities so that when presented with an unfamiliar task, it has enough intelligence to find a solution.
The delegation was made up of ambassadors from Nigeria, Burundi, Central African Republic, D.R. Congo, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Equatorial Guinea,.
Others are Kenya, Niger, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, Sudan, Togo and Uganda. (NAN)
TOLU/GY
========
Edited by Grace Yussuf