By Shina Abubakar, Osogbo

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Oyebode has tasked Nigeria on the need to embrace the use of Artificial intelligence (AI) and ensure its deployment to solve myriads of developmental challenges facing the nation.

Speaking at the Redeemer’s University biennial conference, themed, “AI and Sustainable Development: Collaborative Solutions for Global Challenges,” held at SAPETRO Hall, Faculty of Engineering in Ede, Osun State on Wednesday, he said Artificial intelligence cannot be ignored but should be deployed stratecally to solve problems.

Professor Oyebode, who was represented by Professor Muyiwa Omobowale also tasked academia, especially post graduate students to develop relevant data that will allow proper domestication of AI to Nigeria’s contextual challenges.

His words, “Artificial Intelligence is a phenomenal force in human development and it cannot be ignored. Rather than resist it, we must learn to engage with it responsibly and blend it into systems that advance humanity and national development, we must ask how AI ideas can be domesticated to address our own contextual challenges. Nigeria needs relevant local data that will make AI useful to our people while keeping our innovations globally relevant,” Omobowale mentioned.

He said the conference provided an opportunity to identify and nurture the next generation of AI developers, particularly among postgraduate students and researchers.

“This conference is timely because it seeks to capture and prepare the next generation of Artificial Intelligence developers, Postgraduate students and researchers have an important role in shaping AI solutions for Nigeria’s development. For AI to be sustainable, there must be access to quality data and collaboration among academics, students, the private sector and government, Sound policies are also needed to ensure that Artificial Intelligence is deployed ethically and responsibly for the good of humanity.” Omobowale mentioned

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, Redeemer’s University, Professor Shadrach Akindele, said the theme aligned with the institution’s mission of advancing knowledge and solutions that can transform society.

“Artificial Intelligence is no longer a distant concept it is here and it is here to stay. We must learn it, adapt to it and apply it responsibly to the work before us. Postgraduate students will increasingly use AI tools in their research, but that use must remain within acceptable ethical boundaries,” he said.

Akindele said universities must continue to act as the conscience of society by questioning assumptions and developing practical responses to pressing national challenges.

“Universities are entrusted with asking difficult questions, challenging assumptions and proposing solutions to government, industries and communities. The problems of insecurity, energy shortages and environmental degradation remain urgent in our society. We must not stop working towards solutions to these challenges. Research must go beyond producing journals and lead to policies and innovations that can transform society,” he mentioned.

He stressed that collaboration remained central to sustainable development, adding that no discipline or institution could independently provide all the answers required to solve global and local problems.

Also speaking, the institution’s College of Postgraduates Provost, Professor Osho Adeleke, disclosed that AI is rapidly transforming sectors including healthcare, agriculture, finance, security, research and development, hence, the need for academia, especially post graduate students to identify and tap such opportunities.

“Artificial Intelligence is transforming healthcare, agriculture, finance, research, development and security. Our postgraduate students and researchers must be equipped to understand this transformation and contribute to it. We have brought students and researchers together to see how AI can support development locally. They must also understand what can be achieved through collaboration with the wider global community.” Adeleke mentioned.

He warned that Nigeria can not afford to remain behind as AI advances rapidly, urging government to improve access to data needed to develop relevant technological solutions.

“AI has reached a high level of intelligence, and the pace of its development should concern everyone.We cannot afford to remain behind while the world continues to advance. The Federal Government must take data sourcing seriously and ensure that data which are lacking, restricted or hidden are made available.

“Without accessible and reliable local data, Nigeria will struggle to build AI solutions that respond to its development needs.” He mentioned.