AI can build Nigeria, other African countries; let’s avoid paranoia: Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu has advocated the responsible use of artificial intelligence to transform healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, and economic productivity in Nigeria and across Africa.
Representing President Tinubu at the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who led Nigeria’s delegation, stressed that emerging technologies can be used either as tools of progress or for destructive purposes.
Mr Shettima pointed out that the AI sector can drive development across healthcare, education, agriculture, governance, and economic productivity, adding that Nigeria and Africa should not surrender their technological future to paranoia.
“We refuse to surrender our technological future to paranoia. An invention can be destructive or beneficial, depending on the purposes it serves and the judgement of those who use it. A knife can take a life in the hands of an assailant and save one in the hands of a surgeon.
“We can deploy artificial intelligence to wage war or use it to transform healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and economic productivity. Much of the anxiety surrounding AI reflects the distrust we have allowed to grow among us,” he said.
Mr Shettima added that Nigeria is building technology infrastructure to support its young population, who are already involved in technology and innovation rather than using it for warfare, harm, or other destructive purposes.
“Nigeria is investing in digital public infrastructure, broadband connectivity, innovation ecosystems, research institutions and technology entrepreneurship. We invite the world to work with our inventive, resourceful and enterprising young people to direct AI towards humanity’s advancement rather than its destruction,” Mr Shettima said.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
Gaza: Delegates walk out as Netanyahu delivers speech at UNGA
Many delegates walked out as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the podium to deliver his speech at the 81st session of the UN General Assembly on Thursday.
Health
Traditional leaders boost vaccine uptake in rural Nigeria: Gavi
Traditional rulers, religious leaders and women leaders are increasing vaccine acceptance in rural Nigeria, says Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
Economy
NNPC Retail builds anticipation ahead of October 1 Independence Day
Nigerians are encouraged to download the NNPC Fuel App and follow NNPC Retail’s social media pages to keep an eye on the ongoing countdown for updates and the big reveal.
Economy
AI can build Nigeria, other African countries; let’s avoid paranoia: Tinubu
“We can deploy artificial intelligence to wage war or use it to transform healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and economic productivity,” said Mr Tinubu
Rights
Gaza: Israel prevented genocide, didn’t commit it, says Netanyahu
Mr Netanyahu says Israel has worked to prevent a genocide, denying claims that Israel committed genocide in Gaza, describing the accusation as “the greatest lie of the century”.
World
Haitians eager to return home, vote in elections, says PM Fils-Aimé
“Protecting children from violence, from gang recruitment, while providing safe pathways for children associated with armed groups,” said Mr Fils-Aimé.
