…Seeks collaboration on an innovative ecosystem
By karl Khashoogi
The Director-General (DG) of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mallam Kashifu Abdullahi, has said emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics will power the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
Abdullahi, tasked members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers on the coming technologies even as he solicited for collaboration on digital innovative ecosystem to move Nigeria to the next phase of development.
He made the disclosure at the National Engineering Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigeria Society of Engineers (NSE) on Tuesday at the International Conference Centre (ICC) Abuja.
The DG while speaking hinted that all the previous industrial revolutions were powered by engineers and now that we are at the verge of the 4IR makes the conference even more timely.
Abdullahi noted that Africa, as a continent, lost out in the first, second and third industrial revolutions but now we are at the verge of the fourth industrial revolution which is going to be powered by Artificial Intelligence and Augmentive reality and other technologies to change the way we work.
“Emerging technologies such as, artificial intelligence and robotics are changing the way we design, plan and execute engineering projects” he muted.
He averred that NITDA is preparing the country to be digital technology inclined adding that just last week the Minister for Communications and Digital Economy commissioned the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics built by the Agency.
“This is the right time for you to learn how these new technologies are going to help you excel and thrive in this world we are creating, a digital world ” he affirmed.
The DG hinted that the centre is equipped with the state of the art facilities that can help design and produce prototype solutions for the fourth industrial
He said the agency is looking forward to receiving a communique to build innovation ecosystem in Nigeria and prepare it country for the 4IR.