Globally, the fourth industrial revolution is already happening and accelerating. Artificial Intelligence (AI) which is one of the components of the fourth industrial revolution is now changing industries, products, and core capabilities. If we embrace AI, it has the capacity to enhance our lives, and make us smarter in the way we do things.
AI has promise and risk in both the military and civil capacities. On the military side, AI holds promise for every military function, especially for intelligence. This is due to availability of large data sets, an intelligent workforce, the proliferation and integration of technology, and respectable processes widely understood by a diverse workforce.
Currently, there is a saying in developed countries that, “The future of military intelligence is artificial.” Why? It is because AI would increase speed, efficiency and effectiveness of each phase in the intelligence cycle to better support military commanders in land, sea and air operations.
It is predicted that AI will profoundly influence sea power in the future. It would be a game changer for world navies, doctrine, policy and operations. More importantly, it would provide areas in which naval personnel and their civilian counterparts in the maritime industry are expected to become knowledgeable and proficient.
In spite of opportunities and risks associated with AI, China and other advanced nations are discussing it. Are Africans prepared to be actively involved in this industrial revolution? If Africans are to be part of the fourth industrial revolution, leadership has a significant role to play. Without visionary leaders, no African country can win the technological race.
Some analysts say that societies get the leaders they deserve. This writer agrees with this philosophy, and hence the emphasis on the quality of leadership in Africa. The leadership crisis in Africa crisis is legendary despite an abundance of natural and mineral resources. Empirical evidence has shown that the probability of getting good leaders will be higher in societies where the people are more gifted than one in which millions are illiterates and dropouts from schools.
What is however, disturbing is that Africa cannot boast of a handful of countries at the threshold of economic development in the 21st century. This is sad. The challenges many African nations face today are due to consistently inconsistent economic policies. The tragedy is that whilst African countries are ceaselessly preoccupied in petty religious and tribal wars that are of no strategic importance, the survival of the black people with full rights and respect in a knowledge-based world is ignored by most of their leaders. The result is that Africa is suffering from acute economic stagnation.
This is one of the reasons why analysts say African countries in particular, and the black people in general, are marginalised in global economic, socio-political and cultural affairs. African leaders are actually responsible for the marginalisation of Africans in world affairs. It is not an error that none of the 54 African countries is a permanent member of the United Nations (UN) Security Council. And no African country has staged the Olympics. Since 2010 that South Africa organized and hosted the World Cup, no other African country has been given the opportunity to host this tournament.
If China was not technologically developed, it would not have been admitted as a permanent member of the UN Security Council soon after launching its first nuclear device in 1964. Also, India would not have gained the respect of the West but for her successful nuclear blast in 1974.
It is regrettable that African countries have not demonstrated that they are ready in all respect for industrialisation and technological innovation. It all boils down to the quality of leaders. It is not a matter of colour. Far from it. The issue is beyond racism. That Japan and the Asian Tigers have used success in technological and economic developments to win the war against racism is now history. Africans must not blame anyone for their economic and technological backwardness. As Africans, we need to change our attitude and take responsibility for our future.
In any case, a third of workers globally are worried about the future and their jobs due to automation, according to studies. This calls for a mature conversation among African countries about the future of their citizens. AI and automation will affect every aspect of business and its people. So our leaders must thoroughly understand the changing technological landscape.
We must continue to nurture future generations and re-skill them for the fourth industrial revolution. Nigeria has no choice but to focus more on its human capital. Why? Human capital will make Nigeria thrive in industries which require greater reliance on micro-level precision, exactness and excellence. These are industries that are fundamental to both technological and economic development.
It is now overdue to inculcate in Nigerians a strong science and technological culture while promoting sound education system, encouraging maintenance culture, and re-orienting the society into recognising outstanding individuals who have achieved excellence. This is against the prevailing unethical adoration of moneybags whose sources of wealth are often dubious.
Economic development will help position Africa generally, and Nigeria in particular, in the international community so that they can start playing an active role in global economic, social, political, cultural, intellectual and technological affairs. Perhaps more importantly, Africans will become responsible for shaping and directing their own evolution while playing an important role in the progress of the global community.
This writer therefore suggests debates be organised at regional, sub-regional and national levels on ways and means to build human capital within the continent of Africa. The main objective is to enable Africans accept these new technologies, build relevant skills, revamp old processes and prepare for the new revolution. The end of it all, according to Aristotle, is not knowing but doing. Thank you! (Concluded)
MA JOHNSON
