I.T Experts Visits FUTA To Educate On Artificial Intelligence

I.T Experts at the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) to educate why Nigerians must embrace artificial intelligence. 

An IT expert MR Abiodun Atobatele has said that internet accessibility should be a high priority for Nigerian undergraduates in the wake of new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence. He stated this at the 2nd annual lecture of the school of Physical Sciences of the Federal University of Technology Akure, FUTA held at the T.I. Francis auditorium on the 15th of June, 2023. He spoke on the topic, “The role of Artificial Intelligence in nation building and economic advancement”. 

Mr. Atobatele said Artificial Intelligence can help automate and speed up processes within society such as increasing efficiency in the   work place and identifying and solving problems that humans may not be able to see or solve on their own therefore improving the society.

He called for a synergy between institutions of higher learning and the community to ensure seamless transfer of knowledge. According to him Artificial Intelligence has opened the doors to limitless opportunities in the areas of medicine, communication, aviation, space research and many more spheres of life endeavours.

Atobatele, Chief Executive Officer of ATB Techsoft solutions, said it was of upmost importance for Nigerians to join the data revolution and that those who have the ability to empower the nation through their knowledge of data utilization are the youths. He said Nigeria now has the same level playing field with other nations because data is dynamic and versatile and therefore Nigeria does not have any excuse not to be part of the new revolution transforming societies across the globe.

Mr. Atobatele wants FUTA to take the lead. According to him, “FUTA as a university of technology can take the lead in harnessing data judiciously through making Students’ academic records available for business owners and employers of labour; gathering alumni data so that they can contribute their much needed quota to building up the university and digitalizing the entire operation of the institution.” He said by doing that, “FUTA will be placed on the map of the industrialized world”.

 Mr. Abiodun Atobatele, who also is an alumnus of the university, said that Nigeria as a country should open up the government because government has the largest amount of data but the data is not digitalized.

Speaking at the event, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji said “Artificial Intelligence provides an opportunity for the university and the society to meet and appraise artificial intelligence with a view to exploring its potentials for nation building and economic advancement. The achievements through deployment of artificial intelligence elicit its potential to revolutionize various sectors, including but not limited to health-care, education, finance and transportation. As a result, we have seen the rise of digital economics that are fundamentally changing the way we live. The university understands the importance of this trend and is committed to training our students and equipping them with relevant knowledge and skills to cope with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead”.

She commended the  various efforts which the school of physical sciences has been making in research breakthroughs and recognized the success recorded in teaching, research and community services by the school saying that it has gone a long way in projecting the university in a positive light all over the world. She expressed her gratitude to the school of physical sciences for the admirable feedbacks from employers of graduates of the school.

 The Dean of the School of Physical Sciences, Professor Festus Ayesanmi said the lecture was not just a lecture but an academic tool on how to use knowledge to create wealth and how we can provide an opportunity to leverage possible potential of Artificial intelligence to overcome the challenges facing Nigeria as we strive to build a formidable country with immense economic achievements.

 He also stated that with the development of artificial intelligence new opportunities are opened to the people. He said “The means of doing business is enhanced as more jobs would be created while productivity increases. On another note, more able-bodied men will be engaged in meaningful activities thus resulting in reduction of all crimes committed by the idle ones of society”.

Awards were presented at the lecture to distinguished alumnus such as Mr. Abiodun Atobatele among others , to appreciate their efforts in projecting the university in a positive light by participating and directing various activities and projects that have promoted growth and development not only in Nigerian but all over the globe as well.

MySchoolNews reporting,