The chief of naval staff, Emmanuel Ogalla, has called for the Armed Forces of Nigeria to exploit artificial intelligence’s potential to achieve operational efficiency.

Mr Ogalla made the call on Thursday in Abuja at the Second Quarter 2024 Defence Headquarters and Services Departments/Branches Transformation Seminar hosted by the Nigerian Navy.

According to him, the seminar came when the armed forces were exploiting transformational and innovative initiatives to enhance operational efficiency in accordance with best practices.

Mr Ogalla said the complexity of security challenges across the nation underscored the need for innovative strategies and initiatives, adding that emphasis had been on modernisation of hardware and equipment for enhanced national security.

He said the technological innovations required extensive application of artificial intelligence in conjunction with research and development.

He stated, “We are cautious of the fact that the application of artificial intelligence has permitted all spheres of human endeavour, particularly in the field of finance, medical, space, technology, agriculture, logistics, among several other areas.

“It is in fact the future of military operations and we must, therefore, ensure that the Armed Forces of Nigeria meets up with this evolving technological achievement.”

Mr Ogalla added, “Our armed forces must, therefore, prioritise artificial intelligence in order to achieve the desired innovation and transformation for enhanced operational readiness and effectiveness. This is the desired goal which you, as leaders of the transformation branch of the various services, must work to actualise.

“I therefore encourage us to use these two days to brainstorm on critical issues and challenges in inherent in the application of artificial intelligence for improved operational efficiency. This is because everything that has advantages must have some disadvantages.
“So as much as we want to exploit the advantages of AI, we must also be able to surmount those inherent challenges and disadvantages that could arise from them.”

The Chief of Naval Transformation and Innovation, Michael Oamen, said the seminar was designed to explore viable options for integrating artificial intelligence as a veritable tool for improving operational effectiveness in the armed forces.

Mr Oamen said it was aimed at identifying and encouraging innovations, as well as research and development, with a view to building the armed forces’ capacity and capabilities in support of national security imperatives.

According to him, the second quarter’s seminar has been programmed for two days to cover topics on artificial intelligence in defence transformation, a potential tool for enhancing operational efficiency in the armed forces.

He added that the second paper would leverage artificial intelligence for enhanced research and development to transform military operations lessons, with Nigeria as the focus.

(NAN)