The United States of America (USA) and Nigeria are on the verge of establishing a strategic partnership to foster economic growth through the deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The collaboration aims to bolster economic ties while ensuring the safe, secure, transparent, and trustworthy deployment of AI. The imminent discussions between the two nations seek to explore potential partnership opportunities in the digital economy and emerging technology landscape.
At the closing ceremony of a four-day Workshop on National Artificial Intelligence Strategy in Abuja, Mr. Arthur Brown, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy, revealed the plans for the upcoming partnership. Senior officials from the U.S. government are set to convene in Abuja for a conference organized by the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission within the next two weeks. Additionally, the United States aims to capitalize on the momentum generated by the workshop by organizing an AI conference in Lagos.
The partnership underscores the commitment of both nations to fostering equitable cooperation, talent development, infrastructure enhancement, research, and innovation. Through its diverse agencies, the United States has expressed its readiness to collaborate with Nigeria as an equitable partner to advance initiatives vital for economic growth and technological advancement.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy, highlighted the significance of African governments and leaders taking decisive action to support their aspirations and strategies in the AI domain. Emphasizing the economic potential of AI, a PricewaterhouseCoopers study indicated that AI could contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, with a substantial portion attributed to enhanced productivity and the creation of novel goods and services.
In the pursuit of effective governance for AI, Nigeria aims to prioritize the strategic utilization of AI as a critical tool to enhance productivity across various sectors. The Ministry orchestrated a four-day Artificial Intelligence workshop in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to craft a collaborative framework for implementing AI in the nation. This initiative resulted in the launch of Nigeria’s first Multilingual large language model (LLM), as the country positions itself to take a leadership role in AI development in Africa.
The collaboration holds significant promise for both countries as it aligns with global trends in AI adoption and economic advancement. Attracting attention and anticipation from the international community, this potential partnership signifies a pivotal step towards leveraging AI for sustainable economic growth and technological innovation.
The agreement between the USA and Nigeria also encompasses the endorsement of significant United Nations resolutions on AI, highlighting the commitment to a continued partnership between the U.S. government and Nigeria regarding economic development. The anticipated discussions and collaborative efforts are expected to set the stage for a mutually beneficial alliance aimed at harnessing the potential of AI for economic prosperity while fostering a secure and transparent AI ecosystem.
Notably, previous endeavors by the Nigerian government, such as inviting scientists of Nigerian heritage and globally renowned experts to formulate its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, exemplify the country's dedication to fostering a conducive environment for AI development and innovation. The strides made in AI development, including the launch of Nigeria’s first Multilingual large language model (LLM), further showcase the nation's ambition to lead AI initiatives in Africa.
In conclusion, the impending partnership between the United States of America and Nigeria is poised to be a significant leap towards leveraging AI for economic growth, technological advancement, and international collaboration. As both nations converge to deliberate and act upon mutual interest, the partnership holds the potential to shape the trajectory of AI adoption and economic development in the global landscape. This partnership symbolizes a momentous step towards harnessing AI as a catalyst for economic prosperity and sustainable growth in Nigeria and beyond.
(AMAKA NWAOKOCHA, COINTELEGRAPH, 2024)