The federal government has on Friday Commissioned the national center for artificial intelligence and Robotics to help foster the development and practical application of emerging technologies for sustainable socioeconomic development.
The Minister of Communications and digital economy, Isa Pantami who Commissioned the center in Abuja,said the center will provide a robust platform for achieving a national Digital economy for Nigeria through Digital Literacy and skill development, innovation in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, AI, Internet of Things, and as well as harnessing the power of discovery, incubation and acceleration(DIA)
“The center will also support innovators in making their businesses more competitive through speeding up development and uptake of digital innovations” the minister added
Pantami however urged Nigerian youth to make use of the center whose purpose is to ignite creativity and critical thinking in providing world class solution
“artificial intelligence is the refinery of a digital economy. The initiative behind the center is to challenge our younger ones and citizens to partake in critical thinking of what the world would need in the next few years.The center is for all Nigerians who have the potential to utilize it”
The Director General, National Information Technology Agency, NITDA, Kashiffu Abdullahi, in his remark said the center was designed to facilitate the development of Nigeria into sustainable digital economy, in line with the National Digital Economy policy and strategy for a digital Nigeria.
The Center which was built by NITDA, is equipped with facilities which include: Digital innovation Lab, Namespace and Fabrication Lab, Printed circuit board facilities, 3D printers, Co-working space for start-ups, training facility, Offices for ICT innovation content and the Abuja Massachusetts institute of Technology Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration program Office.
Meanwhile the minister of state, science and technology, while siting the 2020 global innovation index lamented over Nigeria not being among the first hundred nations in terms of innovation
However, he noted that the initiative of the center for artificial intelligence and Robotics is a giant step to ensuring innovation. He however stated the ministry’s commitment to support technological innovative ideas that would help Nigeria achieve a digital economy.
