Leaders in Africa’s digital and tech industries are being encouraged to start using Artificial Intelligence (AI) more in their work. The idea is that using AI can help them find new business opportunities, lead more effectively, and make smarter decisions. This push aims to help Africa become a strong force in new ideas driven by AI.
This advice came from Kashifu Inuwa, the head of Nigeria’s National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). He was speaking at a major tech event called GITEX Africa, held in Morocco, during a discussion about using AI for leadership.
According to NITDA, the event was focused on finding ways that using data and AI can help change how businesses operate, make better use of resources, and open up new possibilities using AI-powered methods in different countries.
Mr. Inuwa told policymakers, tech experts, and investors that Africa, and Nigeria in particular, is growing as an important player in the world of AI. He highlighted that their approach puts people first and focuses on having a clear plan (strategy) for how AI is developed and managed.
He explained that to be successful today, leaders need to use AI not just as a simple tool, but more like a partner that helps them make decisions.
“AI is changing the skills we need and how we do our daily work,” Inuwa noted. He added that leaders should use AI to create “co-intelligence,” which means getting people and computers to work together effectively to achieve the leader’s goals.
Mr. Inuwa stressed that the plan or “Strategy must always come first, and technology second.” He suggested four main points for using AI effectively: bring AI into the conversation, make sure humans always have the final say, design AI systems with safety limits (or “guardrails”), and always be willing to learn and improve.
However, he also gave a warning. He pointed out the risks of using AI systems that are built using information (data) that doesn’t properly represent all the different types of people and societies around the world. He emphasized that all cultures and citizens need to be visible in the digital world, warning that “if data doesn’t see a community, the system won’t see it either.”
Finally, Mr. Inuwa explained how NITDA approaches the rules for AI in Nigeria. They use a method called the “Regulatory Intelligence Framework,” based on three ideas: Awareness (knowing what’s happening), Intelligence (understanding the data), and Dynamism (being flexible because things change quickly).
