The Bayelsa state government, on Wednesday, expressed its determination to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) towards developing its education sector.

Gentle Emelah, the commissioner for education, made the expression at a training programme for ICT teachers in Yenagoa.

Mr Emelah said that given the strategic importance of AI, the state could not afford to take a back seat in its adoption for education sector growth.

Mr Emelah said at the programme organised by the Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (BEDTF) that technology must be harnessed to ensure better quality of life for the people.

“I urged you to utilise the knowledge from this exercise to deepen your understanding about the use of technology for teaching and learning.

“You are expected to pass the knowledge to your students; they need this knowledge to explore opportunities that lie ahead,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Alice Atuwo, the executive secretary, BEDTF, described AI as “a revolution that is changing the way humans live, work, and interact with the world around them.”

“The concept of AI is no longer futuristic; it is here with us; it is aiding transformation in industries, economies, and societies. 

“The evidence of self-driven cars and robots serving in hospitality industries abounds. This is the world we now live in,” she said.

She said that issues such as climate change and perennial flooding being experienced in Bayelsa could be addressed with proper utilisation of AI.

“In BEDTF, we are happy to have introduced coding, robotics, and AI in our schools. It is our hope that our students will fully embrace it.

“We expect them to improve themselves and deploy the knowledge gained to solve problems in society,” she said.

Francis Sikoki, the acting board chairman, BEDTF, commended the state education ministry for always collaborating with the fund in the interest of education development.

He urged the participants to work towards utilising extant technological tools to boost teaching and learning.

(NAN)