Africa must brace up for Artificial Intelligence revolution —Agbata

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MR Fred Agbata, Managing Director of Anambra Information Communication Technology (ICT) Agency, has said the looming Artificial Intelligence (IT) 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, recently.

He said it is unfortunate that while advanced countries are already investing heavily in Artificial Intelligence technology, most states in Nigeria are 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 is at the heart of what the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is doing and that is why it is developing a policy framework to ensure its sustainability.

Agbata said the policy document would be a blueprint for the implementation of the ‘Everything Technology and Technology Everywhere’ vision of Soludo.

According to him, Africa is 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 with the National Information Development Technology Act and contained in the Soludo manifesto, the transition committee report, vision 2070 and the National Start Up law.

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