According to the Statista, the penetration of the Internet in 2019 increased to around 56% from 47% in 2018. This data is indicative of the gradual yet steady movement from the third industrial revolution to the fourth. However, the region is not ready for a drastic change when it comes to technology.
Microsoft thought of a world, wherein every individual will have a personal computer. However, it fell short of its vision in Nigeria, and a few third world countries; the reason being unmet basic necessities in these countries. The healthcare system is conventional, the education is of average grade, and the infrastructural development is not up to the standards. All these gaps did affect the evolution of smartphones as well in the region.
Now, whether the same gaps will impede the boom of Artificial Intelligence is an interesting question to answer.
Current Situation of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria
Kudi is gradually resonating well with the Nigerians by helping them transfer money by simply conversing with the app. In addition, the AI-powered chatbot helps in transferring money, tracking account, paying recurring bills, and buying airtime.
The simplicity to use the app is driving success to it, and the advent of artificial intelligence is strengthened by the day.
Another AI-powered chatbot—Lara—is used for public transportation directions. The artificial intelligence system with which the app is built offers elaborated, text-oriented, step-by-step directions, along with the estimated fare. The success of these apps with the Nigerians shows that they are ready to embrace artificial intelligence.
Future of Artificial Intelligence in Nigeria
Artificial intelligence is not a single technology; it is a bunch of multiple technologies. When it is put to the best use, it holds the potential to bring in revolution to every other industry in Nigeria.
In June 2018, the University of Lagos, Nigeria, saw the launch of the first Artificial Intelligence hub in the country. The underlying aim behind the establishment of this hub is to produce students skilled in technology. This shows that the future of AI in Nigeria is secured.
In July 2019, the African ICT Foundation presented a paper during the annual seminar at the University of Lagos that highlighted the importance of AI in healthcare. The presentation brought in staggering statistics regarding the investments in the technology to upgrade the quality of healthcare. By the end of 2020, the report suggests that about 86% of the healthcare professionals will spend around US $54 Mn on the convergence of artificial intelligence and medical science.
Besides healthcare, the potential of AI technology can also revolutionise the agriculture sector. AI holds the competency to offer intelligent insights to the farmers regarding their crops, which is likely to enhance yield and pace up the scale of innovation, thereby improving the decision-making among the farmers.
Yet another frontier of AI technology is extending in the legislative domain. In order to ensure that the information regarding the parliamentary bills is easily accessible to a broader mass, Data Duality along with other AI experts initiated an NASS-AI project. The project was started in February 2019 and it won the Artificial Intelligence for Development award in August 2019.
By taking over the drudgery of the key industries and making them smart, the profitability of these individual industries will, in turn, improve the economy of Nigeria.
