The minister of women affairs, Hon. Imaan Sulaimann Ibrahim said artificial intelligence (AI) will enhance digital literacy and improves learning infrastructure in the country.
This is as she urged system players to democratise AI – driven tools to advance the knowledge economy while vowing to protect the Internet space for young creatives to achieve fast learning with AI inclusion.
The minister, who spoke at the AI festival summit in Lagos at the weekend described AI as the infrastructure of everyday life.
Speaking at the AI Kids Tech Fest, the minister emphasised the need to drive digital literacy to navigate the internet safely, and utilise digital tools responsibly for both learning and empowerment.
She further reinforced the need to protect vulnerable groups which she said was anchored on the core principles of the Ministry of Women Affairs.
She however highlighted crucial initiatives and key reform policy of the ministry such as the Review of 2003 Child Right Policy which aim to align the act with modern challenges of online child safety, cyber bullying, child protection and child trafficking.
She said,”Over the past year, we’ve significantly deepened our efforts through key reforms and nationwide programmes.
Some of our crucial initiatives include Reviewing the Child Rights Act: We have convened a multi-stakeholder committee to undertake a vital review of the 2003 Child Rights Act.
“This critical update aims to align the Act with modern challenges such as online child safety, cyberbullying, and child trafficking.”
She pointed out that the review of the child right act was not just a timely event but necessary to give everyone a voice while noting that the committee comprises of experts in child law, gender rights, technology, education and health.
Earlier, keynote speaker and founder AI center for excellence Africa and Global CEO of Adanian Labs, John Kamara said, new jobs are interacting with AI innovation while informing the need for parents to immerse their kids in technologies that spurs global and competitive growth.
Kamara hinted that there’s a wide gap in the educational sector which informs the need to close the gaps with tech and AI skills to bridge the deficit gap.
AI is transforming every single industry and the academic sector is not left behind, AI and technology must work together in synergy to advance the economy.
Also speaking, CEO Digital Equity Africa and Convener of Kids Tech Fest, Justina Nnam Oha said the kids are the next pipeline of innovators who will advance the knowledge economy.
She said parents are critical stakeholders in the digital journey of their children as their efforts are needed for children to thrive in the digital landscape.
She urged parents and educators to explore possible options to enhance AI companionship and digital learning tools to support the Nigerian child achieve endless learning innovation in the classroom community.
Reeling out trends of AI in global community, she added that by 2030 over 85 per cent of jobs will require digital and AI literacy exposure for global standards.
On her part, Ambassador Africa Union, Lavina Ramkisson, also stressed the need for the African child to grow with precision and speed.
She said AI will incorporate advanced learning skills and reposition the minds in areas of robotics, automation, infotech, gaming, and push the boundaries of quantum analysis.
Ramkisson charged educators to prioritise AI tools for young creatives in the new emerging world while citing ease of learning, soft work, ChatGPT animation, innovative learning, acquisition of tech skills to enhance tech education to push through global boundaries.
