As part of activities marking this the 2024 Africa Day celebration, the Ultimate Destiny Uplifters Foundation, has empowered young people to take leadership roles and explore opportunities through the knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and other digital skills.
At a one-day workshop in Onitsha, the commercial city of Anambra State, to commemorate this year’s edition, UDUF deemed it fit to equip the youths with artificial intelligence and other digital skills that will help them thrive in the digital age and to shape them for a better future and for the society as a whole.
Themed, ‘Equipping the 21st century youths: Seizing the moment with Artificial Intelligence and other digital skills’, the keynote Speaker ,Mrs Console Adaolisa noted that artificial intelligence and other digital tools are critical to the development and progress of Africa, and by discussing them together with digital technocrats, it would be contributing to the development of the African continent.
Adaolisa advised the youths to explore AI and other digital tools, so as not to be left behind as the world is changing rapidly through technology.
Speaking in her welcome address at the event, the Chairperson, Peace Akogwu, highlighted that ‘Africa’s Day’ is not just a celebration of Africa’s heritage, celebration of its vibrant cultures, traditions and achievements as well as also acknowledge its challenges.
Akogwu said it has become imperative to equip the young leaders of the continent with basic digital tools to enable them remain relevant to tackle Africa’s challenges.
She said, “Let us recommit ourselves to addressing poverty, inequality and social injustice. Let us work together to build a brighter future for all Africans, where everyone has access to quality education, healthcare, and economic opportunity.
“That is why UDUF Africa deemed it fit to equip the youths with artificial intelligence and other digital skills that will help them thrive in the digital age and to shape them for a better future and for the society as a whole. Artificial Intelligence has not come to displace anybody, it has only come to make people better at what they are doing.
“Now is the time to get equipped with the tools to succeed in the world of tomorrow. I beg you to maximise these few hours you have to spend here and go home with something tangible. Also, make sure to network with someone very important.”
Several digital technocrats who spoke at the workshop, attended by over 50 youths, also highlighted the importance of artificial intelligence and also equipped the youths on the digital tools.
The technical sessions centred on how Africa can migrate its teeming population of youths from an analogue economy to a digital economy through sensitisation, provision of resources and tools for the innovation through events, hackathons.
Communique issued at the end of the event urged governments at all levels to introduce digital literacy to the youths, sensitise them about AI and its importance, advantages and disadvantages, and invest in digital infrastructure.
The communique also emphasized that AI should be taught from primary schools (introduction of AI studies to primary school, acquiring a skill on AI (Having a digital skill), government should embrace AI and mentoring the youths, among others.
Panelists at the event touched mainly on the advantages and the disadvantages including ways to mitigate the risk associated with Ai.
The panelists include Harrison Onuoha
IT Consultant and
Executive Assistant to the Governor of Anambra State on Digital Transformation,Olusegun O. Sogbesan, FSM
Head, ICT
Onitsha Business School and Blessing Asonye ,an
Artificial Intelligence(Ai) Specialist.
Pastor Uchenna Christopher standing in for Dr. Smart C Ezuma, UDUF Africa’s Founding President, expressed appreciation for the participants and volunteers’ contributions to the success of the event. He encouraged them to continue inspiring Africa’s transformation through technology.
He reminded everyone that AI is not only for personal growth but also for advancing the continent.
Participants left the workshop equipped with the knowledge and motivation to harness the power of AI and digital tools to shape a better future for Africa.