Yesterday witnessed a gathering of industry leaders and innovators at the LANDMARK EVENT CENTRE in Lagos, Nigeria, for the highly anticipated InnovateAI Conference.
The event, in partnership with Innovation Village as a media partner, centered around the theme “Adapting AI for Nigeria – Creating Intelligent Solutions for a Unique Landscape.”
It hosted diverse discussions on the subject of Artificial Intelligence, delving into how AI is transforming the world and exploring its future in Nigeria.
Commencing with an opening address by Ehia Erhaboh, Co-Covener of the InnovateAI Conference, attendees were introduced to the vision of AI in Nigeria, setting the stage for a day filled with insightful discussions.
Keynote speeches from industry pioneers set the tone for the discussions. Abubakar Suleiman, MD/CEO of Sterling Bank, emphasised the importance of shifting perspectives towards AI and its role in fostering growth and development across various sectors. He urged Nigerians to view AI as a tool for collaboration rather than competition.
The highlight of the conference was the keynote address by Rodger Werkhoven, the visionary behind Sora, a groundbreaking text-to-video AI model. Werkhoven shared insights into his collaboration with OpenAI and the development of innovative AI solutions.
He showcased Sora’s capabilities in generating video content from simple prompts, illustrating the immense potential of AI in creative industries.
Subsequent symposium sessions provided a platform for founders and innovators to showcase how they are leveraging AI to address challenges in manufacturing, business transformation, and credit risk management.
Dr. Phil Ogun, Robotics & Autonomous Systems Engineer/Founder of Innotelligent Technologies, shared his insightful journey into Deep Learning.
He recounted a workplace challenge where traditional methods fell short, prompting his boss to recommend the application of AI. Emphasising its effectiveness, he detailed how AI successfully resolved the issue.
Moving to AI in Business Transformation & Operational Excellence, Kehinde Olateru, Co-Founder/CEO of Zero Complex AI, elucidated on the utilisation of AI principles and practices to enhance client workflows.
Mr. Olateru provided specific examples, notably discussing his startup’s successful intervention in overcoming reconciliation challenges faced by a banking client.
In the realm of AI & Credit Risk Management and Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Mojirayo Folarin-Lawal, VP of Partnerships & Integrations at Pastel Africa, introduced the innovative solution known as Sigma by Pastel.
She elaborated on Sigma’s capabilities, emphasising its role in detecting fraudulent transactions, identifying fake bank statements, and addressing various challenges associated with credit risk and AML.
A panel session, skillfully moderated by OLUMIDE SOYOMBO, explored current and future trends in Nigeria’s AI landscape.
Panelists, including RAGHU BALA, Head, AI Executive Education, MIT, USA, EMEKA EMETAROM of Qore Technologies, SULEIMAN ISAH, Commissioner, Communications Tech. & Digital Economy, Niger State, OSITA OPARAUGO, CEO, Getbundi EduTech.
The discussisons centred around the opportunities for AI adoption across various sectors and the role of startups, businesses, and governments in driving innovation.
Hon. Adedeji Olajide, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and Cyber Security, delivered the second keynote address, emphasising the economic potential of AI for Nigeria.
He outlined government initiatives to support AI development and invited stakeholders to engage with policymakers to shape the future of AI in Nigeria.
The InnovateAI Conference provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange ideas, explore collaborations, and chart a course towards harnessing the full potential of AI for Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement.
The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as participants envisioned a future where AI-powered solutions drive innovation across industries, creating new opportunities and addressing longstanding challenges.
Nigeria’s Innovation Ecosystem Gears Up for AI Revolution
Throughout the conference, one prevailing theme emerged: the need for collaboration and knowledge sharing to unlock AI’s full potential in Nigeria. Industry leaders stressed the importance of building a robust ecosystem that fosters collaboration between government, academia, and the private sector.
By pooling resources and expertise, stakeholders can accelerate AI adoption, spur entrepreneurship, and propel Nigeria to the forefront of AI innovation in Africa.
Moreover, discussions also touched upon the ethical implications of AI adoption and the importance of responsible AI governance.
As AI technologies continue to advance rapidly, there is a growing recognition of the need to address concerns related to data privacy, algorithmic bias, and AI ethics.
Rodger Werkhoven’s keynote, especially, underscored the importance of developing ethical frameworks and regulatory frameworks to ensure that AI technologies are deployed responsibly and equitably.
In addition to the conference proceedings, several exciting announcements and initiatives were unveiled, signaling a growing momentum for AI innovation in Nigeria.
Startups showcased their latest AI-powered solutions, while established companies announced partnerships and investments aimed at driving AI-driven transformation across sectors.
These developments underscored the growing interest and investment in AI technology within Nigeria’s vibrant innovation ecosystem.
Looking to the future, the energy sparked by the InnovateAI Conference is set to boost more progress and creativity in Nigeria’s AI scene.
With a strong vision, teamwork, and a dedication to ethical AI practices, Nigeria could become a standout leader in AI innovation in the region. This could lead to economic expansion and overall societal progress for the foreseeable future.
