AI is creating more jobs, not threat — Experts

Experts have allayed fears of job loss with emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), as they said that AI is rather a gateway to new employment opportunities and economic prosperity.

Speaking with journalists on the sideline of a planned three-day summit on AI deep learning IndabaX Nigeria 2025, the vice chancellor of the Summit University, Offa, Professor Abiodun Musa Aibinu, who is also a professor of Mechatronics Engineering, said that what is required is necessary skill upgrade and transformation to navigate AI opportunities.

“Most people will normally think AI will send people out of job, but sincerely speaking, AI is creating more jobs and opportunities for us. For instance, typists, telecommunications staff have not gone into extinction, rather they have more jobs with the coming of computers and GSM, as the case may be.

“Also, let’s take bank as the case study. Against limited oportunities in the banking world, AI has made it possible for people to bank anywhere. Thus, more employment opportunities for cybersecurity people, ICT personnel, among many others”.

Aibinu, a professor of Mechatronics
Engineering, with specialty in AI and Machine Vision, said that the world has moved to knowledge-based economy, adding that money made from ICT-playstore had tripled what was realized from oil and gas-based resources in recent years.

He also said that AI will enable enthusiasts to participate in solving local based community challenges, e.g., in areas of agriculture, security, trading, etc.

Professor Aibinu also talked on how AI technologies such as drones and machine vision can strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture by enabling remote surveillance, object tracking, and precision strikes.

“AI is the naked truth of our time. It is here to stay and it’s here to help,” he said.

Talking on the AI deep learning indabaX Nigeria 2025, Aibinu said that over 300 AI enthusiasts, tech entrepreneurs, researchers, university scholars and industry stakeholders in the field of AI will gather in a three-day day summit holding in the University.

Described as the biggest gathering of AI enthusiasts in Africa, he said that about 30 countries would be represented at the event, which he said would also feature commissioning of Fourth generation of AI.

The Vice Chancellor said the IndabaX 2025 conference is centred around the democratization of knowledge, ethical AI development, and practical solutions for African communities.

“This conference will be a melting pot of ideas. It’s about building the future of Africa with African solutions, using African minds”, said Professor Aibinu.

“We’re in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the age of cyber-physical systems. AI is advancing towards autonomy, and it will soon surpass human intelligence in several domains. We must be ready”, he said.

Speaking on the structure and vision of the conference, the Chairperson of the Steering Committee, Mr. Ahmed Olanrewaju, described IndabaX Nigeria as Africa’s premier convergence of AI minds, adding that it serves as a critical platform for policy dialogue, collaboration, and innovation.

On her part, the Chairperson of the Local Organising Committee, Mrs. Ganiyat Afolabi-Yusuf, said the three-day event is designed to foster learning, networking, and problem-solving.

“It’s not just a conference, it’s a laboratory for African solutions to African problems”, she said.

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