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RTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN THE
21ST CENTURY: ITS IMPACTS,
CHALLENGES, PRESENT AND
FUTURE PREDICTIONS IN NIGERIA
AHMAD, MUHAMMAD NAJEEB; &
AHMAD, JALALUDEEN BASHIR
Department of Computer Science, the Polytechnic Bali,
Taraba State, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author:
muhammadnajeebahmad@gmail.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.70382/tijsrat.v07i9.035
INTRODUCTION
t the turn of the 21st century, we have actually
realized that computers are everywhere around
us: in our home, in the office, at the bank, when
travelling or in any working organization. The way we
interact with these computers made us to realise the
creation of intelligent machines that work and react like
humans with the help of digital electronics. Intelligence
has been considered as one of the most important quality
of human beings because every human behaviour has
actually been ascribed to intelligence. According to
Kumar (2018), human beings are the most intelligent of all
the created animals in the world. Intelligence is most
often studied in humans but has also been observed in
non-human animals, plants and of late studied in
machines. This study of intelligence in machines is
referred to as Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is
commonly implemented in computer systems using
A
A
ABSTRACT
Artificial
intelligence (AI)
refers to the
simulation of
human
intelligence in
machines that are
programmed to
think like humans
and mimic their
actions. Artificial
intelligence in the
last two decades
has greatly
improved
performance of
the
manufacturing
and service
systems in many
countries and
Nigeria should
not be left
behind. The
impacts,
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programs through appropriate electronic circuits (Smith, 2006). The components
of Artificial Intelligence (AI) are: learning, reasoning, problem solving, perception,
planning and using language.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) according to Nwakunor (2021), is the computer
controlled robots that think intelligently like human beings. These robots are
controlled electronically with the aid of the computer by mimicking the
competences of the human mind.
Artificial intelligence is the study and also advancements of intelligent machines
and also software program that can reason, find out, collect knowledge,
communicate, adjust and also perceive the objects. John McCarthy created the
term in 1956 as branch of computer technology concerned with making computer
systems act like people. It collaborates with the help of artificial nerve cells
(artificial neural network) and clinical theories. Major Artificial Intelligence
locations are Professional Systems, Natural Language Processing, Speech
Comprehending, Robotics as well as Sensory Systems, Computer System Vision
and also Scene Recognition, Intelligent Computer System- Helped Instruction,
Neural Computing.
This research is to intimate the audience on the impact, adoption and challenges
of Artificial Intelligent in Nigeria. The qualitative research method was adopted as
well as expository approach was used for this study. Information was sourced
from online search engines which are solely articles, journals and international
publications.
IMPACTS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN NIGERIA
In Nigeria today, AI is still in its infancy stage. Although there are some
organizations that are into it, but the most challenge they faced is lack of support
challenges, present and future predictions of Artificial intelligence in Nigeria is
the focus of this paper. This paper had actually checked out the future
forecasts for artificial intelligence in Nigeria and also based upon which
prospective remedy will certainly be suggested to solve it within following
decades.
Keywords: Artificial intelligence, simulation, mimic.
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or proper funding. Most of the developed nations have used artificial intelligence
to grow every facet of their economy to become world power. Similarly, Artificial
Intelligence can be used to play a major role in shaping the growth of core sectors
in Nigerian economy. What is paramount is for Nigeria to quickly adopt the AI
technology and commence experiments in many new things for a positive
outcome and applications. Indeed, the applications of AI technology will be the
finest technology to give a boost to core sectors and help Nigeria for a fastest
digitization. Meanwhile, below are some of the applications of Artificial
Intelligence in relate to Nigeria (Reagan, 2018).
Education
This is the most important sector in Nigeria that touches every life regardless of
the age and location. AI technology can make education system smarter in Nigeria.
This can be done by introducing self-teaching classrooms at every level of the
education institution.
AI can virtually replace classroom learning and provide the exact similar
experience. Students at home, including teachers can all be connected through
virtual reality. The software running the simulation can set a classroom and depict
the character of the students and teachers as they so desire. With the application
of AI, the technology can learn from experience, adjust to new inputs, and
perform human-like tasks. AI can allow the system to understand the student’s
learning profile, thereby personalising a suitable lesson plan to ensure the student
learns effectively.
The major issues that might hinder effective e-education in Nigeria are
connectivity – some locations don’t have good internet connection, power
shortage – insufficient electric supply.
Healthcare
Treatment, prevention and diagnosis of health conditions can be effectively
achieved with the application of AI technology in Nigeria. Machine learning,
through the use of statistical techniques, allows computer systems the ability to
learn with data received, thereby making decisions with little to no human
intervention.
In Nigeria, with information from AI, Doctors are able to assess risks, make better
decisions, and give patients more effective medications. Complex medical
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procedures such as kidney transplant, heart transplant which most Nigerians
would otherwise prefer to fly abroad for, can be rest assured with the application
of AI in Nigeria.
Banking
Banks and other financial institutions all over the world have begun adopting the
AI technology into their systems and Nigeria cannot be an exception. It can create
a huge impact on the business and commerce of the banking industry in Nigeria.
The implementation of the AI technology in the banking industries can be used in
the payment efforts and reduced complex process through simple chatbots
conversation to continue the operations without any hassles. The virtual assistant
can also be used to improve their customer services.
Agriculture
Agriculture is one of the core sectors of the Nigerian economy and efforts are
been made to modify the cultivation process in order to yield more production. AI
technology could be of immense help. It can understand a timely planting, getting
predictions, using fertilizers, harvesting and climate conditions. Automation of
farming activities is possible with the implementation of the AI technology and
maximum output from agriculture can be achieved.
Astronomy
It has been ascertained that the accuracy of artificial intelligence is immeasurable.
Researchers have shown that calculations carried out by artificial intelligence can
make more accurate predictions than humans concerning the long term stability
of circumlunar planets. Hence, this technology can be used in understanding our
entire universe and how it works. This implementation could give Nigeria the
ability to make an attempt into space.
Sports
Artificial intelligence in sports is emerging all over the industry, covering post-
game analysis, in-game activity and even the fan experience. Some of the most
exciting AI use cases in sports are: AI Referee (Referees, meanwhile now use Video
Assistant Technology(VAR) in football to help them make more precise
judgements regarding the big decisions, such as penalties, free kicks, and red
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cards), personalized training and diet plans, player performance, ticketing and
automated sports journalism. The implementation of this technology is certainly
going to solve many major changes in the sports world of Nigeria by bringing true
capacity and competition among sports men and women in the country.
Digital Personal Assistant
It can help organise meetings, answer questions by searching online, make
recommendations, give directions, add events to calendar, send text messages, e-
mails and notifications, language translation, initiate voice friendly notifications
and tips.
Voice Interaction can enable easy interaction so you don’t have to always tap your
phone to initiate a task request. All you need do is speak to it, and it acknowledges
your voice then performs the task. When privacy is demanded, a password can be
set so that anyone does not access your data to perform unauthorized tasks.
Advancements in the technology would permit more features peculiar to a real life
personal assistant.
Autonomous Vehicles
An autonomous vehicle is essentially a self-driving car, engineered to move with
little or no human effort. The vehicle, to an extent, can be able to operate itself
without the need for a driver. AI technology found in an autonomous car gives it
the ability to sense its surroundings and make intelligent decisions as to where to
move, when to stop, and what to do in case of an emergency. Self-driving cars will
solve a lot of transportation problems in Nigeria. Accidents on the highway will be
reduced as these cars are able to adjust to the required speed and keep up with
the changing surroundings. GPS technology, being integrated to the cars will allow
them to take the best and safe routes.
Connected vehicle technology will allow cars to communicate, thereby limiting
collisions. Although for this to take place, the cars must be on a Network such as
5G. The inherent danger in this is Car hacking, whereby the car is being
manipulated by someone elsewhere.
The connectivity of self-driving cars can be manipulated by criminals to create
gridlocks and accidents. Even if Nigeria was to implement connected cars, it will
be reserved for the wealthy or those that can subscribe to 5G data plans to have
their cars connected.
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ADOPTION OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN NIGERIA
The Nigerian Government is set to establish the center for AI and robotics under
the National Informational Technology Development Agency (NITDA) which is
anticipated to focus on Emerging Technologies in various areas such as research
and development, communication security and networking. Furthermore, there is
an ongoing private sector driven Robotic and AI Technology Hub and Research
Centre called Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria (RAIN) that carries out
physical and virtual classes, build intelligent machines, train, and certify youth on
ultra-modern courses in automation, robotics, 3D printing, CNC machining,
artificial intelligence (AI), data science, and machine learning (Ifejesu,2021).
Companies currently offering AI solutions in Nigeria:
i. AirSmat: which provides AI-enabled software to businesses for drone data
management.
ii. Kudi AI: which provides an AI enabled chatbot to assist in the transfer of
remittances to family and friends in Nigeria.
iii. Data Science Nigeria: a foundation working to deliver research which can
be transformed to business use applications. It conducts AI and Machine
Learning boot camps and competitions.
iv. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Nigeria, which provides training in AI,
ML and robotics development and automation.
FUTURE PREDICTIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN NIGERIA
Are robots going to take over our Future of Work in Nigeria?
The invention of artificial intelligence (AI) and its adoption in the workplace is not
to substitute humans but to complement tasks with minimum error, less cost and
within a short time. However, the use of AI in the workplace had displaced some
workers on one hand and created more jobs on the others. A lot of jobs will be
erased and changed. However, new jobs will be created. The new jobs will require
more skills to cope with AI requirement. Some of AI technologies that are yet to
be fully implemented in Nigeria are:
i. Automated transportation : Self-driving cars already exist, though the
vehicles are currently required to have a driver present at the wheel for
safety. Despite these interesting developments, it will take a while for a
public acceptance to bring automated cars into widespread use. But when
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Google began the testing of a self-driving car in 2012, the U.S. Department
of Transportation was forced to release policies to control different levels
of automation. It is believed that other self-driving transportation means
like buses and train will soon emerge.
ii. Cyborg technology: AI will soon be used for people with amputated limbs,
as the brain will be able to communicate with a robotic limb in order to give
patients more control.
iii. Taking over dangerous jobs : Taking over some of the most hazardous jobs
like bomb defusing”. These machines aren’t quite robots yet, but are
technically drones, being used as the physical counterpart for defusing
bombs, but requiring a human to control them, rather than using AI.
Whatever their classification, they have been saving thousands of lives by
taking over one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. As technology
improves, we will likely see more AI integration to help these machines
function. Other jobs are also being reconsidered for AI integration. Welding
which is well known for producing toxic substances, intense heat, and ear
splitting noise will also be replaced by robots soon in the future.
iv. Robot as friends : Presently most robots are still emotionless and it is
difficult to picture a robot you could relate to emotionally. However, a
company in Japan has made the first big steps toward a robot companion;
one that can understand and feel emotions of human. Developed in 2014
and was called Pepper. About 1000 pieces of Pepper the companion robot
was produced and all were sold in the year 2015. The robot was
programmed to read human emotions, develop its own emotions, and help
its human friends stay happy. More sophisticated friendly robots are sure
to be developed soon.
v. Robot as medical doctors : Presently in the medical field, robots are
assisted by humans to carry out surgeries or treat patients. However, it is
been believed that autonomous surgical robots can be used in the future
to perform surgeries on their own without the help of surgeons and
medical doctors in the future can be a fully autonomous robots that can
make their own decisions.
vi. Improved house servants : For many persons, everyday life is a struggle,
hence the high demand for house servants all over the world. As a result,
hiring house servants to manage their care is becoming scarce and
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expensive. AI is at a stage where replacing this need isn’t too far off. Home
robots could soon replace house servants who will persons of needs with
everyday tasks and allow them to stay comfortably in their homes for as
long as possible. It will also be replicated to house guard robots who will
perform the services of a gate man or security personnel at homes.
CHALLENGES OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN NIGERIA
Despite the innovative importance and growth of artificial intelligence
technology, it is indeed being faced with some significant challenges especially in
developing nation like Nigeria. Nigeria as a nation must endeavour to overcome
these challenges in order to improve artificial intelligence. Some of the challenges
are seen below (Reagan, 2018):
Complex algorithms
The technical side of AI involves some huge data and complex algorithm;
sometimes making users not to grasp AI concepts. A lot of researchers in Nigeria
are completely unaware of these algorithms and technology, hence finds it
difficult to understand the functioning of AI technology. Besides, many Nigerians
tend to stay away from some complicated learning.
AI human interface
The challenge here is the shortage of data science skills within humans to get
maximum output from artificial intelligence. There is a clear shortage of advanced
skills that will interface between Nigerians and AI technology.
Decline of investment
Another challenge of artificial intelligence in Nigeria is that not all business owners
or managers are willing to invest in it. The funds required to set up and implement
Artificial Intelligence is very high, thus not every business owner or organization
in Nigeria can invest in it.
Software malfunction
No technology of human is perfect. A case of software or hardware crash could be
highly frustrating to researchers especially in Nigeria where storage and retrieval
systems are poor. Hence, software tasks performed by humans can be difficult to
trace. This kind of problem can be frustrating and discouraging.
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Cultural and religious barriers
Cultural affiliation and religion bigotry are the two most common barriers to
development in Nigeria; hence AI technology is not spared. Language might not
be a much challenge to artificial intelligence progress in Nigeria, but persons of
the same tribal affiliation are usually biased in working cooperatively with other
tribes especially in knowledge acquisition. Similarly, there is so much religious
intolerance that can seriously militate against AI technology in Nigeria.
CONCLUSION
Artificial Intelligent is one of the most discussed, researched and current Emerging
Technology with inspiring and advantageous use cases growing on a regular basis.
However, Nigeria is at its early stage into adopting the AI due lack of government
support, less investment from private sector and inadequate volume of data
collection. As stated in this paper, in the near future AI will improve human
intelligence by re-educating of humanity to understand the technology’s
mechanisms and consequences. The use of AI systems will revolutionize many
industries in the future and might change the future as we know it. This paper has
figure out some recommendations and way out that if followed appropriately,
Nigeria in the coming would be fully into AI space adoptions.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Considering the impacts, challenges and applications surrounding artificial
intelligence in Nigeria, and in order to keep up with the continuous challenges and
solutions concerning AI. the following recommendations are given to enhance its
development. This paper recommends the following possible strategies in
combating Nigeria in Adopting AI technologies like other developed countries;
i. The Nigerian government should ensure proper implementation of AI
technologies and should be monitored regularly.
ii. The Nigerian government should partner with the private sector to
implement digital verification signature in order to have “big data”.
iii. Data Science Nigeria (DSN) should organize more programs to train the
youth on the effective use of AI, to stabilize security in Nigeria.
iv. AI course should be included in all Nigerian institutions of learning and
should be monitored to ensure practical teaching of the course at all
levels so that every graduate can operate the peripherals.
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v. To increase the awareness and adoption of AI, Companies, universities,
conferences and other stakeholders in AI technology should ensure the
participation of women and minority groups in AI research and
development.
vi. The Government should render support and collaboration to center for
Robotics and AI upon its launch, in order to carry out a holistic needs
and challenges review, as well as the creation of a White paper on
Robotics and AI for Nigeria.
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