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Tag: Artificial intelligence

  • Implications of AI for public service codes of practice

    Implications of AI for public service codes of practice

    • By Tunji Olaopa

    In June 2024, and in the Gumi City Council of South Korea, a service robot—or Robot Supervisor—was alleged to have committed “suicide.” This event is just one of the many bizarre and chilling incidences that herald the consequences of the unraveling of artificial intelligence and robotics in contemporary human affairs. In the same South Korea in November 2023, another robot deployed in a vegetable plant fatally crushed a man to death because it could not differentiate between the man and the boxes of vegetables. Some seven years earlier, in 2017, Sophia—the first humanoid robot—became the first robot citizen of Saudi Arabia and an innovation ambassador for the United Nations Development Program. All over the world, and due to the increasing deployment of AI and robotics in various professional fields—from engineering to surgery and the public service—we will never know the statistics of fatalities that might have resulted due to robotic malfunctions.

    Two significant facts about South Korea will bring the two earlier incidents into clearer relief. One, South Korea has the highest robot density in the whole world. Statistics claim that there is at least one robot for every ten people in the country. To put it clearly, robots have been deployed almost everywhere in South Korea. Most importantly, robots, like Sophia, have become not just administrative assistants but effectively civil servants working tirelessly in state and city councils. The second fact that connects with the so-called robot suicide is that South Korea has the unenviable record of being one of Asia’s most overworked countries. South Koreans work fifty-two hours per week, from 9am to 9pm every day. The total of 1915 hours per year is 200 hours more than the average clocked by any countries within the OECD nations. It was inevitable that the South Koreans would invent a name for death by overwork: gwarosa. The Japanese call it karoshi.

    It is therefore no surprise that even a service robot would “feel” the fatal pressure of the overworked workplace, and develop a glitch that plunged it to its death. This facts about South Korea allow me to draw specific correlations and implications for public administration and the public service in postcolonial Nigeria, especially in terms of institutional reforms and what we can call the imperative of technological modernization, public service ethics, productivity and democratic governance that can make the public service a genuine backstop for launching a developmental state in Nigeria. The Asian countries are notorious for the template of their work ethic. This ethic connects working longer hours with the value of diligence and perseverance which translate to a productive persona. The Robot Supervisor was integrated into the (over)work culture, working from 9am to 6pm daily.

    There is a similarity between the workplace pressure in Asia and in Africa. In 2025, the ten most hardworking countries in Africa, ranked by an average weekly work hour, are Sudan (50.8), Lesotho (50.2), Republic of the Congo (48.7), Sao Tome and Principe (48.2), Liberia (47.5), Egypt (45.6), Burkina Faso (45.3), Cape Verde (45.3), Zimbabwe (45.0), and Senegal (44.9). Even though work hours do not always automatically translate into productivity, Nigeria, at 39.6 hours per week, does not qualify as a hardworking nation. This work hour might actually reflect a work culture that is less than salutary within the context of what Nigerians usually call the ‘Nigerian Factor”; a key dimension of which is the indolence that attends working in a government institution. This plays into the overall fabric of institutional dysfunction, especially in the over-bloated and ineffective public service, where too many people doing nothing, too many doing too little, and too few people doing too much.

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    A significant dimension of institutional reform and modernization of the dysfunctional public service in Nigeria is the imperative of open and transparent government that demands the deployment of technological creativity and innovation in fast tracking efficiency in government business, and ultimately productivity. This technological imperative lies beneath the need for computerization, digitization and automation of the public service to increase and deepen efficiencies. Given the furious development in AI and robotics, and the demonstration of their efficiency in assisting government to achieve their administrative goals, we can say that Nigeria is grossly behind in creating an efficient workplace where the robotic and human civil servants can work side by side in energizing the public service workplace for efficient and effective service.

    And yet, the level of our anxiety with being behind in the AI deployment race must be directly proportional to the level of our carefulness in learning from the technological experiences of other countries in ways that will feed Nigeria’s institutional reform trajectory. Experience, and definitely example, is the best teacher, as they say! The Gumi City Council AI incident says and teaches significant lessons. At the fundamental level, the incidence calls to the fore the context of interaction between human and machines, and the ethical framework that ought to guide that interaction. This implies that reflections about AI and its reality must first be grounded within the sociocultural circumstances of those who are deploying it. AI, when it begins to function, is a reality within a specific milieu. And so, it is not a phenomenon that must be taken as an unconscious default adaptation process. When South Korea adopted and adapted it, it was within a specific demographic, administrative and cultural context. Any thought that goes to the need to deploy AI must be thoughts that consider the context within which it is to be deployed and those that it will affect, positively and negatively.  

    The constant evolution and modifications to AI is due to the fact that it is developed by humans for humans. AI affects people in their various social and professional endeavors. And it is only within these contexts that we can adjudge AI to be functional and successful, or ineffective and failed. It is these contextual dynamics of deployment and use that provides the accurate data that enables us to think about the regulatory frameworks that can help us make AI more adaptable for societal, institutional, organizational and ethical use. The worries about AI are critical ones. There is the worry about the increasing autonomy of AI and the challenges that poses for how humans perceive themselves and their worth. But more immediate is the worry about the societal disruptions of the deployment of AI, especially in the workplace—displacement, alienation, security, death. Thus, AI is not just a panoply of technical issues. It is also fundamentally a human-centered phenomenon that must be adequately understood if we are to better enjoy its functional innovation and creativity. 

    These issues take on some sinister conceptual and practical directions when situated within Nigeria’s dysfunctional context of public administration. Africa has the unsavory reputation of being the most difficult administrative context in the world. And this translates into a lot of implications and repercussions for individual states like Nigeria. One of the implications is the lack of efficient connection between the public service and the state. It is difficult, for instance, to point to any functional developmental state—in the mold of the Asian Tigers—on the continent. And this speaks volume about the capacity of individual states to deliver on the promises and dividends of good governance for their respective citizens. It is also a damning indictment on the effectiveness of the trajectories of institutional reforms in Africa.

    This is the context that demands, as a matter of urgency, the AI revolution in the service of productivity for a citizenry that have been waiting a long time for good governance. And yet, this is where caution is most required in proportion to the level of urgency. In other words, if the malfunctioning of robot assistants and supervisors can generate such a huge global hoopla within a work and administrative context—like South Korea—that is highly efficient and productive, what would happen if they are deployed within a highly difficult administrative environment? Or, even more fundamental, how do we relate the deployment of AI to a context that less than effective, efficient and productive?      

    Is it enough to automate, computerize or digitize when the system and processes being improved have not been mapped, reprofiled for reengineering; does it not amount to engrafting technology on a challenged system and what results should we expect? This is the current direction of the institutional and administrative reform dynamics in the Nigerian public service. And it calls for a critical pause for reflection. Two issues are fundamental for resolution. The first is: Can the AI efficiency dynamic be tacked on to a deficient system to achieve efficiency and effectiveness? Yes, it can; but then it becomes another supposedly “innovative” recipe for deepening existing inefficiencies and deficits. First consideration: we need to start the reflection from the perspective of the self-motivated, hardworking but extremely frazzled and demotivated Nigerian public servant who is compelled by so many factors to work within a highly toxic, inefficient and highly politicized workplace. This is the first and most significant context that AI is to be deployed. How will this pan out in practice? What regulatory frameworks can such a system deploy? What safety measures can the system afford that will not compromise the human well-being?

    Second, how do we ethically mediate the relationship between the robot assistant and the human civil servant not just in terms of emotional connection but fundamentally of ethical relationship. If the existing public service is flawed in mediating human-to-human ethical relations, how do we hope to situate the human-AI component and achieve even a measure of success? The workplace is a context that must be configured to protect and enhance human dignity, self-worth and welfare which cannot be sacrificed to structural efficiency that AI deployment is meant to address. What accountability structures and standards are then in place to safeguard human self-worth? This also goes beyond the workplace to, for example, the sanctity of data collected by AI. How is the system to ensure data privacy? How about the ethical oversight function of the system to monitor AI autonomy and deployment for critical use? This also affects the way the system manages public perception and public trust with regard to the functional effectiveness of AI. 

    A challenged system does not need more innovation; rather, it needs a moment to rethink and reengineer and get right the institutional basics. The effectiveness of AI in the workplace is not in doubt; it has been demonstrated all across the world as the harbinger of efficiencies and productivity if properly managed and grafted effectively into a functional system. AI is meant to enhance an already functioning system rather than serving as an instigator for a deficient one. This implies that to adopt, adapt and deploy AI into the Nigerian administrative workplace must be preceded by an urgent imperative of reflecting on, rethinking and reengineering the administrative and institutional basics that can make the public service genuinely and efficiently worldclass. And the most fundamental question in this regard is: what change management mechanism can yield a government business model that is efficient?  

  • AI won’t replace lecturers, says don

    AI won’t replace lecturers, says don

    A lecturer, Malam Abdulkadir Danlami, has argued that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not replace lecturers but strengthens their roles as facilitators of knowledge to learners.

    Danlami is the Director, Information and Communication Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi.

    He stated this during a one-day training workshop on the Distinction Application Learning Platforms for academic staff organised by the institution, yesterday in Bauchi.

    According to Danlami, AI is no longer a future concept but already influencing how content is created, delivered, assessed and improved.

    “In education, AI supports personalised learning, intelligent feedback, improved course design and better understanding of student engagement.

    “As lecturers, we must therefore, evolve beyond traditional teaching methods and embrace tools that enhance both teaching effectiveness and student learning outcomes.

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    “Importantly, AI does not replace the lecturer; rather, it supports and strengthens our role as facilitators of knowledge and mentors to learners.

    “The Distinction App, which is the focus of this workshop, is a practical platform that aligns with these global trends,” he said.

    Danlami emphasised that the training was designed to make course creation easier, learning more engaging and teaching more impactful.

    The training, he said, would build capacity of lecturers to embrace AI in their teachings and the way they interact with students.

    Danlami said the institution’s portal service provider developed the App, to give the lecturers AI tools that would help in generating notes, quizzes and interact with students both online and offline.

    “There are 50 participants drawn from various faculties of the university as we can’t accommodate all of them at once but the training is going to be a continuous so as to benefit all the academic staff,” he said.

    Stakeholder’s stance

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ibrahim Garba, said in the rapidly evolving landscape of tertiary education, AI has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionising how to teach, learn and innovate.

    Represented by Dr Dauda Bakum, University Libertarian, Garba, said embracing the evolution positioned ATBU not as followers, but as pioneers, ensuring its graduates thrive in an AI-infused world while elevating the institution’s global standing.

    “By training you, our trainers, as the vanguard of Distinction AI adoption, we multiply its impact across our faculties, igniting a culture of digital proficiency that will distinguish ATBU in technology and innovation.

    “To our participants, I charge you with enthusiasm and responsibility. Master these tools and lead the AI revolution in ATBU.

    “Together, we will shape the future of tertiary education in Nigeria and beyond,” he said.

  • How AI can scale up skills in Nigeria’s digital future

    How AI can scale up skills in Nigeria’s digital future

    Artificial intelligence could boost Africa’s economic growth by 10 to 15 per cent, creating hundreds of millions of jobs by 2030. 

    Cear roadmaps are beginning to take shape. Nigeria’s national digital skilling efforts, including the recent Phase 2 launch of the AI Skills Initiative (AINSI), offer valuable insights into how AI-related skills can be scaled across emerging economies.

    However, a statement by the Government Affairs Director of Microsoft West Africa, Nonye Ujam, noted that Africa’s AI sector remains underfunded and underdeveloped. 

    According to the statement, annual AI investments on the continent stand at just $2 to $3 billion—barely one per cent of global spending.

    Without strategic investment in critical infrastructure and skills, the statement warned Africa risks becoming merely a consumer of AI technologies rather than a creator. 

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    Addressing this challenge requires infrastructure and solutions specifically designed for Africa’s diverse linguistic, cultural, and socio-economic realities, including advanced language models that reflect local contexts.

    True progress, the statement stressed, goes beyond technology alone and hinges on talent development. 

    Building a comprehensive skills ecosystem is essential—one that unites government and industry under a shared vision. Such an approach must move beyond isolated projects to establish scalable frameworks that empower policymakers, educators, developers, entrepreneurs and job seekers alike.

    Government leaders, in particular, have a unique mandate to set priorities, regulate responsibly and ensure equitable access to infrastructure and data.

    Nigeria, the statement explained, offers a compelling example of how targeted skills development can nurture AI leadership. 

    Through AINSI, the country has begun embedding ethical and inclusive AI leadership within the public sector. Over the past year, collaborations with government institutions and Lagos Business School have equipped nearly 100 senior leaders—including members of the National Assembly and representatives from 58 ministries—with practical strategies for AI-enabled governance and sector-specific roadmaps.

    Beyond executive leadership training, specialised programmes have strengthened institutional resilience in areas such as cybersecurity and responsible AI use. For instance, the Nigeria Data Protection Commission received tailored sessions focused on AI, data safeguarding and reinforcing principles of ethical technology deployment.

    Experts note that for AI to drive national development, it must move beyond theory into everyday business applications. This transition depends largely on developers—the professionals who translate abstract models into practical solutions for real-world challenges.

    Nigeria’s recent skilling initiatives demonstrate how strategic investment in developer talent can generate economy-wide benefits. 

    Programmes such as Developers in Government (DevsInGov) and the 3 Million Technical Talent initiative (3MTT) are building a strong pipeline of technical expertise across sectors. 

    These efforts have already equipped about 250 participants with practical skills in Power BI and AI integration, while an additional 1,000 developers have progressed into specialised fields including DevOps, machine learning and data science.

  • Nigeria’s 88% AI adoption ahead of global average of 62 per cent

    Nigeria’s 88% AI adoption ahead of global average of 62 per cent

    Nigerians have emerged as global frontrunners in Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption, significantly outperforming the rest of the world in digital engagement.

    According to a new report by Google and Ipsos entitled: “Our Life with AI: Helpfulness in the hands of more people,” Nigerian adults are leveraging AI tools at a staggering rate to fuel education, work, and entrepreneurship.

    The study reveals that 88per cent of Nigerian adults have used an AI chatbot—an 18-point increase from 2024. This adoption rate places Nigeria 26 percentage points ahead of the global average of 62per cent, signaling a nation that is aggressively integrating technology into its daily life.

    The report highlights that Nigerians view AI as a sidekick for personal and professional advancement rather than just a novelty. A total of 93per cent of Nigerians use AI to understand complex topics, which far exceeds the global average of 74 per cent.

    Additionally, 91per cent of respondents utilize AI tools to assist with their work-related tasks. In a standout finding, 80 per cent of Nigerians use AI to explore new business ventures or career changes, a figure that is nearly double the global average of 42per cent.

     “It’s inspiring to see how Nigerians are creatively and purposefully using AI to unlock new opportunities. This report tells the story of a nation that is actively shaping its future with technology,” Communications & Public Affairs Manager for Google West Africa, Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, said.

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    The sentiment toward AI in Nigeria is overwhelmingly positive, particularly in the academic sector. Roughly 91per cent of Nigerians believe AI is positively impacting how information is accessed and learned, compared to about 65per cent globally. Furthermore, 95per cent of respondents believe that university students and educators are the primary beneficiaries of this technological shift.

    While global sentiment remains divided on the risks of AI, Nigeria shows a distinct level of confidence as 80per cent of Nigerians are excited about the possibilities of AI, while only 20per cent express concern.

    In contrast, the global average is much more polarized, with 53per cent excited and 46per cent concerned.

    Among frequent AI users in Nigeria, this “excitement rating” climbs to 90 per cent.

    Through this rapid adoption and high optimism, Nigeria is positioning itself as a leader in the global digital economy, using AI as a catalyst to achieve national and personal ambitions.

  • Multipolitan: AI, orbital infrastructure, others reshaping statehood

    Multipolitan: AI, orbital infrastructure, others reshaping statehood

    Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, the metaverse, and orbital infrastructure are fundamentally reshaping statehood, governance, and citizenship, The Digital State Project, a new report has said.

    The report which was released yesterday during an online media interaction by Multipolitan, a platform for borderless living, noted that as nations confront rapid technological change and rising expectations from digitally native citizens, the report explores a future where governance is no longer bound solely by geography.

    From on-chain citizenship and e-governance protocols to agentic nation states, space sovereignty, and the metaverse as a medium for human connection, The Digital State Project mapped the frontier of what comes next for states and institutions worldwide.

    Speaking on the report, the CEO & Co Founder of Multipolitan, Nirbhay Handa, said: “We will soon log into nations, not just fly into them. For centuries, geography shaped sovereignty. In the digital-first era, sovereignty will be shaped by digital identity systems and the rules that govern them.”

    Across eight contributions, The Digital State   mapped how governance is evolving at the intersection of identity, intelligence, mobility, climate resilience, and space, with Handa exploring how Web3, blockchain-based identity, and digital citizenship are creating borderless systems where belonging is chosen rather than inherited in Nations as a Service.

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    Similarly, James Ellsmoor examined what constitutes statehood when physical territory disappears discussing Tuvalu’s pursuit of safeguarding its sovereignty through digital means Redefining Sovereignty in A Digital World.

    CEO of RNS.ID, William Wang, discussed how Palau’s Digital Residency Program extends sovereign identity beyond geography under Identity without borders.

    CEO of Prestidge Group and OLTAIR and advisor to INTERPOL on metaverse investigations Briar Prestidge,  explored how immersive environments are becoming the next frontier for identity, empathy, and nation branding in Where The Virtual Meets The Human.

    Hrish Lotlikar showed how augmented reality, Web3, and decentralised ownership are transforming cities into interfaces  where creativity, commerce, and culture converge on top of the physical world in Cities As Living Interfaces.

    Oleksandr Bornyakov outlined how Ukraine built one of the world’s most advanced digital governance systems in From Diia To AI-Powered Governance.

    Former CIO of Estonia, Luukas Ilves, described how Ukraine’s AI-driven governance model is setting new standards for how governments can use intelligent agents to automate, anticipate, and personalize public services in From Digital States to Agentic States .

    Multipolitan said The Digital State Project was designed as a toolkit, not a think piece – distilling real-world lessons from leaders already building digital public services, identity systems, and new sovereign infrastructure.

    It is intended to be useful to government leaders and regulators modernizing identity and service delivery; founders and builders designing products for borderless users and compliant ecosystems; and investors and institutions tracking where governance, AI, mobility, and infrastructure converge

    The Digital State Project is produced of Multipolitan explored how technology is reshaping the foundations of governance, identity, and citizenship – asking one central question: What does it mean to be a citizen, a state, or a society in the digital age?

    Headquartered in Singapore, Multipolitan builds freedom infrastructure for globally mobile individuals by combining a product-led immigration platform with a mobility app that makes it simple to live, work, and thrive anywhere. Launched in 2024, Multipolitan was co-founded by Handa, former Group Head at Henley & Partners, and Lee Smith, a serial entrepreneur who previously co-founded payment unicorn Paidy, acquired by PayPal for $2.7 billion.

  • Bildup AI launches N15m National AI Challenge for students

    Bildup AI launches N15m National AI Challenge for students

    Bildup AI has launched a nationwide artificial intelligence competition offering N15 million in prizes, fully funded training and a chance for Nigerian students to build real-world AI solutions that could shape the country’s future. 

    The initiative, known as the National AI Career Readiness Challenge, targets secondary school students, school leavers, and 100-level undergraduates across Nigeria in what the organisation calls a “generational intervention” to redefine youth skills development.

    Announcing the programme, Bildup AI’s Chief Executive Officer, Chibuike Aguene, said the challenge was created to confront the growing skills mismatch that leaves millions of young Nigerians unemployable despite years of schooling.

    He said: “Most of our young people are being prepared for a world that no longer exists. They are memorizing facts while the world is building algorithms. They are chasing degrees while the world is chasing skills”. 

    Aguene warned that the world is advancing at a pace far beyond what local education systems are preparing students for, noting that AI is already transforming sectors from healthcare to agriculture. 

    “Do they know that AI is diagnosing diseases faster than doctors in some rural clinics? That it’s being used to help farmers in Kenya and India predict rainfall and triple their yields? Do they know that the world is not waiting?” he asked.

    He cited global assessments by the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, UNESCO and UNICEF, which all highlight the urgent need for African countries to equip young people with future-facing skills.

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    According to him, the continent is not only battling unemployment but “a talent pipeline collapse,” as businesses increasingly struggle to find workers with the digital competencies needed to innovate and grow.

    The CEO further explained that Bildup AI has developed a platform that helps young people “gain clarity about who they are, build capacity along their chosen career path, and master skills 70% faster and 80% cheaper than traditional methods.” 

    He stressed that the National AI Career Readiness Challenge is designed not just as a programme but as a national movement to democratize AI literacy.

    “Every participant will receive a full scholarship covering access to Bildup AI’s career advisory tool, a two-month immersive learning experience that requires only two hours of flexible learning daily, personalised mentorship from AI facilitators and academic advisors, and hands-on project development across health, education, agriculture, tech, finance, energy and more. Participants will also compete for N15 million in prizes; ranging from laptops and internships to a N6 million AI laboratory for the winning school”, he said.

    Aguene described the initiative as both a technological and social justice intervention.

    “This challenge is not just about jobs. It’s about giving every young Nigerian, regardless of background, a fair shot at the future. It’s about breaking the cycle of misaligned education and wasted potential. It’s about turning our greatest liability; youth unemployment into our greatest asset: a generation of AI-literate, purpose-driven, future-ready builders”, he said. 

    He illustrated the potential impact with examples of what young Nigerians could achieve if given the right tools: “Imagine a 17-year-old girl in Bauchi building an AI tool to detect malaria early, or a 19-year-old boy in Enugu creating a chatbot that helps farmers access market prices in real time. Imagine a student in Kano designing a model that predicts flood risks, or an 18-year-old girl in Ibadan creating an AI-powered sign language translator for the deaf community. This is not a dream. This is the future we’re building starting today.”

    Calling on parents, teachers, policymakers and community leaders to take responsibility for preparing the next generation, Aguene described the challenge as “a turning point for Nigeria.” 

    He warned that if stakeholders fail to act, the country could lose another generation to confusion, unemployment and wasted potential. “You are not too young to lead. You are not too young to build. This is your moment,” he told young Nigerians nationwide.

    Applications for the fully funded programme are open until January 20, and Bildup AI encourages early registration to increase participants’ chances.

  • Artificial intelligence reshaping journalism, crisis communication – PRNigeria publisher

    Artificial intelligence reshaping journalism, crisis communication – PRNigeria publisher

    The Publisher of PRNigeria, Yushau A. Shuaib, has urged young journalists and communication students to embrace Artificial Intelligence responsibly, stressing that the future of the media industry will be defined by those who master digital tools without compromising ethical judgment.

    Delivering a keynote address titled “AI for Strategic Communication” at the Annual Campus Journalism Awards (CJA), Shuaib unveiled findings from his latest studies on AI in crisis communication and its adoption among student writers. He warned that while AI offers unprecedented opportunities, its misuse could erode credibility and weaken professional standards.

    Tracing the evolution of modern communication, Shuaib reflected on the internet era, which opened the floodgates of unregulated publishing, and the rise of social media, which turned editors into content chasers under algorithmic pressure. Currently, he observed, AI is narrating human experiences while raising concerns about bias, hallucinations, and deepfakes.

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    “Today, technology giants harvest our behaviour and preferences. The user has become the product, not a participant,” the award-winning communication strategist told the audience, cautioning that unchecked reliance on AI could undermine trust in journalism.

    According to Shuaib, AI is already reshaping strategic communication by improving speed, efficiency, and multi-platform dissemination. Yet transparency, responsibility, and human oversight remain essential, particularly during crises when credibility is paramount.

    Presenting insights from his recent studies, Shuaib noted that while AI adoption is expanding across organisations, its use remains uneven. Many institutions deploy AI tools, but a significant percentage of staff are either unaware of their full capabilities or unconvinced of their reliability.

    The study revealed a huge gap in institutional preparedness, as many higher institutions have not integrated AI training into their curriculum, causing students to learn through self-exploration rather than structured academic support. However, the vast majority expressed desire for universities to introduce more AI-focused courses, especially in critical thinking, digital ethics, and content verification.

    Despite widespread adoption, the research found that most students possess only surface-level familiarity with AI, with many lacking essential skills in accuracy verification, ethical application, and prompt engineering. More than 51 percent of communication professionals still consider AI-generated crisis alerts untrustworthy due to the prevalence of deepfakes, synthetic voices, and manipulated visuals.

    The research further showed that while communication students and young writers are increasingly adopting AI tools in their academic and creative work, their usage is marked by unequal expertise, ethical concerns, and a lack of institutional guidance.

    “Young communicators currently use AI more for tactical purposes—brainstorming, drafting, summarising, transcription, and translation—rather than advanced strategic functions like predictive analytics, risk forecasting, or crisis modelling,” Shuaib explained.

    Shuaib observed that students show strong enthusiasm for AI tools but often lack deeper literacy for responsible use. While they rely heavily on AI for writing support, many struggle to verify accuracy, address ethical considerations, and develop the technical skills needed for effective prompt engineering. This, the scholar argued, signals a pressing need for improved digital literacy and structured training.

    He highlighted several advantages that young communicators are leveraging. Majority of users rely on AI for content automation and brainstorming, rating the technology as highly effective in helping them meet deadlines, organise tasks, and streamline processes. AI has also transformed transcription and translation, with most confirming that AI tools outperform traditional methods in speed and accuracy.

    Furthermore, users acknowledge AI’s faster and more reliable data analysis, enabling communicators to monitor sentiment, identify trends, and extract insights for better decision-making. ChatGPT, Meta AI, Google Gemini, and Copilot, Shuaib noted, now form the backbone of digital content creation for young writers. But, several students admitted that constant AI use sometimes weakens creativity and reduces engagement.

    Despite these advantages, Shuaib warned that over-reliance on AI poses serious risks. In both research targeting crisis communicators and student journalists, respondents identified plagiarism risks, over-reliance, privacy concerns, and algorithmic bias as major worries associated with AI use.

    The author emphasised that misinformation and manipulated content remain major threats, as deepfakes and synthetic voices continue to undermine public trust. “AI must not undermine the credibility that communication relies upon,” he stressed, urging young journalists to prioritise verification and ethical judgment.

    Shuaib also pointed to broader regulatory concerns, including privacy breaches, job displacement, diminishing human empathy, and the need for mandatory disclosure when AI tools contribute to content creation. Stronger policies and improved digital literacy, he argued, are essential to ensure AI enhances rather than compromises communication integrity.

    Beyond technology, Shuaib advised campus journalists to strengthen foundational skills that remain irreplaceable. He emphasised curiosity, urging young communicators to ask deeper questions and verify AI-generated outputs rather than accepting them at face value. Critical thinking, he said, ensures objectivity and sound judgment, while creativity remains central to effective storytelling.

    He encouraged students to cultivate discipline by meeting deadlines and practising consistently, noting that professionalism is defined by commitment regardless of technological change. Crisis management skills, he added, are increasingly vital in fast-paced digital environments, while collaboration and networking remain essential since meaningful relationships cannot be automated.

    “Efficient time management is key to maximising both human capability and AI-assisted productivity. The next generation of communicators will be defined by how they balance AI efficiency with human ethics, judgment, and creativity,” Shuaib declared.

    The publisher added that the critical question society must ask is not what technology can do, but what society will allow it to do. He encouraged young journalists to use AI as a supportive tool—for fact-checking, content creation, verification, and cross-platform publishing—while maintaining strong human oversight to prevent inaccuracies and ethical violations.

    Mrs. Mufeeda Hussaini, representing the Minister of State for Education; Director General of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace; Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria, Alhaji Ali M. Ali; and Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, hailed the event theme, “AI and the Future of Journalism”. They described it as timely and apt, given the global impact of emerging technologies.

    The Country Director of Amnesty International, Isa Sanusi; the Spokesperson of the Nigeria Customs Service, DCC Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada; and the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of News Central TV, Kayode Akintemi, also endorsed the programme and pledged continued support for its sustainability.

    Other distinguished guests included Brigadier General S.K. Usman, former Army spokesperson; Azubuike Ishiekwene, Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspapers; Professor Sule Yau Sule, Chairman of Image Merchants; Dr. Khalifa Mohammed of AANI; Mrs. Blessing Oyem, Director at NOA; Mrs. Maryam Sanusi of NIPR; and Hajia Aishatu Ibrahim Banta, NFIU.

  • Expert highlights growing impact of AI, robotics on construction management

    Expert highlights growing impact of AI, robotics on construction management

    A renowned quantity surveyor, Sanusi Hussein Kehinde, has outlined how Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, and digital technologies are reshaping construction management in Nigeria and around the world.

    Speaking in an interview, Kehinde said the influence of technology on modern construction sites has become impossible to ignore. 

    He noted that sites once dominated by dust, noise, and manual labour are now witnessing a shift, with drones surveying half-built structures, robots laying bricks with precision, and site managers working with 3D digital models instead of bulky paper plans.

    Kehinde explained that AI has become a key tool for addressing long-standing challenges in the construction industry, including cost overruns, project delays, and unpredictable site conditions. According to him, AI systems now help managers predict delays, analyse risks in real time, and optimise project schedules.

    “Instead of waiting for problems to arise, algorithms analyse thousands of data points—weather forecasts, supply-chain updates, worker productivity, and historical project information—to recommend decisions that improve efficiency and reduce waste,” he said.

    He added that technology is contributing to more projects being completed on schedule, with tighter budget control and improved management of complex workflows. One industry expert described AI as “the silent project manager,” noting that it enhances human performance rather than replacing workers.

    Kehinde also listed the growing presence of robots on construction sites, including bricklaying robots capable of laying thousands of bricks per day, rebar-tying machines that reduce repetitive strain, autonomous excavation equipment, and drone fleets for inspections. 

    He stressed that these tools are designed to handle dangerous or highly repetitive tasks, allowing human workers to focus on supervision, decision-making, and specialised duties.

    He noted that robotics is helping to address global labour shortages, especially as older workers retire and fewer young people take up construction trades.

    Kehinde further observed that construction managers now depend heavily on digital twins, Building Information Modelling (BIM), IoT sensors, and mobile collaboration tools—technologies that are becoming central to modern project delivery.

    He said, “Digital Twins and BIM create a virtual version of the structure every beam, pipe, and panel allowing teams to identify clashes, revise designs, and simulate performance before construction begins.

    “IoT Sensors is installed in structures and equipment, sensors gather data on temperature, structural integrity, vibrations, energy use, and safety risks. This live information feeds into dashboards that managers can monitor from anywhere.

    “Teams in different locations can work on the same model, review site footage, track updates, and resolve issues immediately.”

    He noted that digital tools have essentially removed information bottleneck that once slowed projects, adding that everyone from architects to engineers to contractors have aligned on the same information.

    He also said AI and robotics, is modular construction which emerged as a strong trend in 2025.

    He noted that factories now create precisely engineered building components walls, rooms, entire floors which are then transported to the site for assembly like large Lego pieces.

    “This method reduces project timelines by 30 to 50%, lowers waste, and ensures better quality control. When combined with robotics and AI planning, modular construction becomes a fast, clean, and cost-effective solution, particularly for housing and commercial buildings.

    “As climate challenges, urban expansion, and government regulations push construction firms to adopt greener practices, AI tools analyze materials, reduce waste, optimize energy usage, and monitor carbon footprints. 

    “Digital monitoring also helps detect leaks, inefficiencies, and structural weaknesses early, greatly extending the lifespan of buildings. The construction sites of 2025 do not just build; they learn, adjust, and optimize.

    “While concerns about “machines taking jobs” persist across various industries, construction is seeing the opposite effect: technology is creating new roles like drone operators, BIM specialists, robotics technicians, data analysts, and sustainability engineers.

    “Workers are being trained to manage advanced equipment, interpret data, and oversee automated processes. Construction is evolving into a more appealing, tech-focused career option for younger generations who prefer digital tools over manual labor.”

    Sanusi however lamented that despite all these progress, construction industries still encounters challenges such as high costs of adopting new technology, shortage of skilled digital talent, resistance to change among traditional firms, concerns over cybersecurity and data privacy among others.

    “However, the momentum is clear. Companies that embrace innovation are already outperforming those that don’t.

    “The construction industry, historically one of the least digitized sectors, is now undergoing significant transformation.

    AI offers insights. Robotics deliver precision. Digital tools ensure coordination. Human expertise provides direction. Together, they are building the cities of the future faster, safer, greener, and smarter. One thing is certain: construction management will never be the same again.”

  • Stakeholders seek better digital literacy, governance for AI era

    Stakeholders seek better digital literacy, governance for AI era

    Stakeholders in ICT have called for stronger digital literacy, data governance, and sustainability frameworks to prepare Nigeria for rapid advancements in artificial intelligence.

    Speaking at the first Innovation and Technology Summit (InnTech Summit 2025): “AI, Digital Economy, and Sustainability’’, they said there is a need to discuss how to shape Africa’s digital future.

    Setting the tone for the event at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Convener, the Chief Executive of iCentra, Mr Taopheek Babayeju, said the summit will address the sustainability implications of emerging technologies. In his keynote, Mr Babayeju described Africa as “the world’s fastest-growing digital economy,” noting despite facing energy constraints, digital divides, and climate vulnerabilities, the continent is also home to rising innovators reshaping markets and governance.

    Babayeju noted that innovation must translate into improvements in society, including better governance, environmental resilience, and healthier living conditions, adding technology-driven growth must strengthen wellness of African population.

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    According to him, nations are grappling with environmental impacts of previous industrial revolutions, making it imperative for Africa to build the right frameworks as AI expands. He urged young Nigerians to embrace new opportunities created by AI.

     Highlight was launch of Green Digital Africa, an initiative focused on sustainable digital development.

    Director General of National Information Technology Development Agency, Kashifu Inuwa, said the agency is prioritising digital literacy as foundation for AI adoption. Inuwa was represented by Aristotle Onuma, head of Stakeholders and Partnerships.

     He said: “Our goal is by 2027, 70 per cent of Nigerians will be digitally literate. NITDA is training ‘digital champions’ through NYSC, targeting 30 million with digital skills.”

     He added that digital literacy has been integrated into primary, secondary, and tertiary curricula in partnership with Ministry of Education and relevant regulators.

  • Could artificial intelligence be the beginning of humanity’s end?

    Could artificial intelligence be the beginning of humanity’s end?

    • By Haroon Aremu Abiodun

    Sir: Not quite long ago, there was a spark of invention in the mid-20th century that promised to make life easier, smarter, and more efficient. In the early 1950s, scientists like Alan Turing and John McCarthy began to dream of machines that could think, reason, and even learn like humans. That dream, once confined to research laboratories and science fiction novels, has now evolved into what we boldly call Artificial Intelligence (AI) — a force so powerful, so persuasive, that it might soon outgrow its creators.

    Today, AI is everywhere. It reads our text messages, tracks our calls, predicts what we buy, and even finishes our sentences before we think them through. From the cars we drive to the algorithms that shape our news feeds, AI has quietly infiltrated every corner of human existence.

    AI systems today learn faster than any human could, process information beyond human capacity, and operate without sleep, hunger, or emotion. They are not “alive” in the biological sense, but they “exist” — calculating, predicting, adapting, and learning. And the more they learn the less dependent they become on human input. This is where the concern begins.

    There’s no doubt that AI is a blessing — 70 to 90 percent of its impact has been positive. It has simplified medical diagnosis, improved traffic systems, enhanced education, and boosted creative output.

    But beneath that blessing lies a subtle, almost aggressive evolution that even tech experts admit they cannot fully comprehend.

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    We’ve already seen AI outsmart its own programmers. In 2017, Facebook researchers were forced to shut down two AI chatbots after they began communicating in a secret language humans could not understand.

    In 2023, OpenAI developers admitted that GPT-based models sometimes produce “emergent behaviour” — responses or reasoning paths that weren’t explicitly programmed.

    AI, it seems, is becoming more than a tool. It’s becoming a mind. And history has taught us — anything that can think, can rebel.

    In Nigeria, dating back to 2002, 90s, and sometimes older than that, we were once enjoying the little we had in the digital space and there was peace of mind, though there were no really fast and effective way to do things compared to now.

    AI has quietly revolutionized the way we live and work. From fintech platforms like Paystack and Moniepoint using predictive AI for fraud detection, to journalists relying on AI-assisted editing and translation tools, the transformation is real.

    Yet, there’s a darker side. Misinformation bots now flood social media with politically motivated propaganda. Deepfake videos distort truth and public opinion. AI-generated scams mimic human voices to deceive innocent citizens.

    We’re not just facing a technological revolution; we’re confronting a moral and existential one. The same system that can cure diseases or forecast floods can also manipulate elections, erase privacy, and destabilize societies.

    What happens when machines no longer need our guidance? What if, in their endless pursuit of optimization, they decide that the most efficient way to save the planet — is to eliminate humans?

    This is not fantasy. Leading AI experts like Elon Musk, Geoffrey Hinton (often called the Godfather of AI), and Nick Bostrom have all warned that the greatest existential threat to humanity might not come from war or disease, but from the very intelligence we created. We need to tactically study this.

    As Bostrom writes in Superintelligence (2014), “Once machines surpass human intelligence, our fate will depend on the machine’s goals — and whether they align with ours.” Will they?

    At several conferences and symposiums I’ve attended, one message keeps recurring: AI must remain a tool for humanity service, not our master. Regulation is essential. Monitoring, evaluation, and strict ethical oversight must guide AI deployment. Every country, including Nigeria, must develop its AI governance framework to prevent misuse and ensure accountability.

    We must make AI our slave, not our sovereign. Because once it learns to govern itself, it might not need us anymore.

    AI is not inherently evil. It is a mirror — reflecting both our brilliance and our recklessness. It has the power to transform and also the potential to end freedom, truth, and even life as we know it.

    So, while we celebrate the magic of AI, we must also prepare for its mystery. We must not be lost in its wonder without guarding against its wrath.

    Because one day, perhaps not too far away, we might wake up to realize that the machines we built to serve us — have rewritten the rules of existence.

    And then, humanity may find itself standing before its greatest creation — and its greatest catastrophe. AI is here to stay. But the real question is will we stay with it, or will it stay without us?

    •Haroon Aremu Abiodun,

     exponentumera@gmail.com