Nigerian Government Should Train Her Senior Citizens on Artificial Intelligence - IAUE Professor
Nigerian Government has been advised to emulate the Singaporean example whose Government as a policy commenced the training of her citizens within the age bracket of forty (40) to sixty (60) years on Artificial intelligence.
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Nigerian Government has been advised to emulate the Singaporean example whose Government as a policy commenced the training of her citizens within the age bracket of forty (40) to sixty (60) years on Artificial intelligence.
Professor Emmanuel Welsen Okachi gave the advice while giving a keynote address at the second National Conference and Art Exhibition of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts on Thursday July 4th, 2024 at the Postgraduate Hall with the theme “Art and Artificial intelligence in Modern Nigeria Art Practice “.
He also called on institutions to engage in training the trainer’s workshops to assist lecturers and those impacting knowledge to be abreast with artificial intelligence.
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Ministries of Education at all levels and National Universities Commission (NUC) he emphasized should as a policy update the curriculum to reflect the changing times that Artificial intelligence bequeaths the sector.
Also artists and practitioners within the discipline should embrace artificial intelligence in their respective areas of practice as failure in accepting the current technology will have negative consequences the keynote presenter added.
Artificial intelligence technology he said will continue to evolve with artists having access to even more powerful tools and techniques that will lead to a new wave of innovation and creativity, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in art.
The keynote speaker warned that Artificial intelligence is a tool and not a replacement for human creativity, stressing that the true value of art lies in its ability to connect humans to their humanity and that Artificial intelligence can only enhance this connection and not replace it.
According to him, humans are in a world where art and Artificial intelligence are merging, pushing the boundaries of human expression and challenging the very definition of creativity having entered into the sacred place of art and offering a new lens through which to view the world and a new language with which to express ourselves.
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This for Professor Okachi is not a threat to human creativity but on evolution as artificial intelligence can be human collaboration, muse, tool and can help humans explore new possibilities pushing the boundaries of imagination and create art that is both beautiful and thought provoking.
Artificial intelligence for him is a new brush, instrument and a new voice that can generate images that capture the essence of human dreams, render sculptures that speak to souls and engage in designs that transport humans to other worlds. It is not just about creating new art but also about understanding and interpreting existing art.
Artificial intelligence can analyse painting, sculptures and music revealing hidden patterns and insights that would be possible for the human eye to see. The use of artificial intelligence in Modern Nigerian art practice according to the Lecturer is a new renaissance, a time of unprecedented artistic exploration where art and artificial intelligence are only merging to create works that are extraordinary.
He encouraged all to embrace this future not with fear but with excitement and to amplify creativity, push the boundaries of human expression and create art that will inspire generations to come. He also encouraged artists and Artificial intelligence developers to engage in ethical discussions about the responsible use of artificial intelligence in arts to ensure that it is used to enhance creativity and cultural understanding rather than to exploit or marginalised.
In his presentation the lead paper presenter Professor Etido Inyang Effiong William while speaking on the Artistic Innovations at the Nexus of Culture and Technology: Nigerian Arts and Artists in the age of Artificial intelligence stressed the importance of Art in reflecting cultural shifts, expression of identity and values, documenting history and change, culture exchange and dialogue as well as inspiration for innovation in the Renaissance.
Earlier the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE Professor Okechuku Onuchuku who was represented by the Associate Dean Faculty of Humanities Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako said that Artificial intelligence is the science of making machines that can think like humans and do things that are considered smart, perform tasks that previously required human beings as the technology can process large amounts of data in ways unlike humans. The goal she stated is to be able to do things such as recognise patterns, make decisions and judge like humans.
She said that Artificial intelligence as the ability of a digital computer or computer controlled robot to perform tasks usually associated with intelligent human beings can help Fine Arts Department flourish and assist in the globalisation of Nigeria textile Arts and equip artists with skills while still maintaining professional standards.
In his speech, the Chairman conference organising committee Professor Charles Your Tobin Omuaru thanked the Acting Vice Chancellor for supporting the Department to achieve its dreams as partners in the University development.
He said that on Thursday October 6th, 2022, the Department had its maiden conference as well as its annual juried Art Exhibition tagged “Expressing the Realities of life 2022. Department maiden journal is online (published online). These are remarkable milestones.
The Department has covered these achievements and set legacies for today’s event. He expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the successful hosting of a conference and Arts Exhibition of that magnitude. He hinted that the day marks another milestone in the history of the Department as they are writing their names in the sands of time, chanting several openings for the visual arts to thrive.
Professor Omuaru disclosed that they are open to collaboration with other professions as the conference and exhibition opens up new vista for creating awareness, giving opportunities to artists of all sides of the Artistic divides to interface with other professionals, engage on the trending technological discourse commonly referred to as artificial intelligence.
This year’s celebration he added is more of a celebration as some who have contributed immensely to the development of the institution through teaching, mentorship, nurturing and remarkable Administrative style are detailed for honour like past Heads of Department, Alumni of the Department and institution, remarkable artists who have attained the rank of Professors as well as the lead paper presenter that the Department is proud of.
He thanked the Dean of Faculty of Humanities Professor Kingdom Eke Orji for his listening ears and support and other friends from sister Universities for being part of the conference. He hoped that the conference will be beneficial to all where fear, doubts and usefulness of Artificial intelligence will be dissected for the general good.
In an address of welcome, the Acting Head of Department of Fine and Applied Arts Dr Sotonye Allen Orubu noted that the theme of the conference is apt and timely bearing in mind the tremendous contribution of Artificial intelligence in Modern Nigeria promoting art practice and it’s role in making the production of art works easy.
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In a vote of thanks, Professor Chinedu Chukwueggu appreciated everyone who turned out for the conference.
The event featured unveiling of the first Departmental Journal and awards to deserving staff like Professor Charles Goye Tobin Omuaru, Professor Nelson Graves, Professor Wenikado Sylvester Ganagana, Mr Pius Waritimi, Mr G. O. C. Awani, Professor Emmanuel Welsen Okachi, Professor Anthony Okpara, Mrs Willie Pepple, Professor Augustus Ememiekumo, Professor Stanley Mangiri, Professor Chinedu Chukwueggu and others.
Earlier, the Acting Vice Chancellor had commissioned the fencing projects of the Departmental sculpture garden and the offices that are constructed with toilets in them.
