Anambra ICT Boss Says Africa Must Brace Up For AI Revolution
Mt Fred Agbata, Managing Director of Anambra Information Communication Technology (ICT) Agency has said the looming Artificial Intelligence revolution may catch Nigeria and indeed Africa unawares if they do not consciously prepare for it.
Agbata said this at the Anambra ICT Policy Framework engagement with stakeholders in Awka on Thursday.
He said it was unfortunate that while advanced countries were already investing heavily in Artificial Intelligence technology, most states in Nigeria were still talking about ICT and internet awareness.
He however noted that Lagos and a few other states, had pockets of young people doing well in ICT at individual level but not necessarily based on sector specific policy.
Agbata said technology was at the heart of what the administration of Gov. Chukwuma Soludo was doing and that was why it was developing a policy framework to ensure its sustainability.
Agbata said the policy document would be a blueprint for the implementation of ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’ vision of Soludo.
According to him, Africa is quite endangered in the area of Artificial Intelligence, as developed countries are building multi-billion dollar industries and positioning for that era of technology.
“We must therefore begin to position the industry in the state for the curve ahead, that is why we want to make sure that technology thrives in Anambra with active collaboration of stakeholders.
“ICT hubs in developed countries did not just happen, they are products of conscious efforts by governments, driven by policies and that is what we are doing here today,” he said.
Agbata said the draft under review was in line of National Information Development Technology Act and contained in the Soludo Manifesto, the transition committee report, Vision 2070, and the National start up law.
Agbata said the idea was in line with Soludo’s vision of making Anambra a livable and smart mega city.
He said the participants were drawn from all the various sectors of the state economy including academia, Civil Society, Media and ICT .
“The Governor has given us the necessary backing and has supported us to achieve a lot.
”The Anambra ICT Agency is ready and all we ask is that you join forces with us to create a model that other states may follow to ensure that Nigeria is a habitable place.
In a goodwill message, Prof. Kingsley Nwozor, Dean, faculty of Physical Sciences, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam commended Soludo for taking interest in providing a platform for an innovation driven ecosystem.
Nwozor said the stakeholders’ engagement was a right step towards the digitisation process adding that the Chukwuma Odumegwu Ojukwu University would be willing to partner the state in developing the sector.
“We want to say that the COOU is ready to explore further partnerships with this agency, towards technological advancements in the state,” he said.
