Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna says his government is committed to harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics to drive growth and improve governance.
Mr Sani stated this when he inaugurated the 3rd AI and Robotics Summit in Kaduna on Tuesday.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, said his administration was also committed to harnessing the power of digital technology to enhance the quality of life of the citizens.
He said that with the rapid advancement of technology in the field of AI and robotics, the state government would not want its citizens to be left behind.
According to him, any society that neglects artificial intelligence and robotics will be left behind as the duo had become an unstoppable hurricane, safer to flow with it.
According to Mr Sani, this is why the theme of the summit is ‘Harnessing AI and Robotics for National Prosperity’, is apt and well-timed.
He added, “The theme underscores our commitment to exploring the full potential of artificial intelligence and robotics to drive economic growth, enhance productivity and improve the quality of life for our citizens.
“Kaduna State Government under my administration has launched initiatives to foster innovation and technological advancement within the state.
”They include the establishment of the Kaduna Technology City, a hub for tech-driven entrepreneurship.
“The second is the Kaduna State Digital Strategy implementation, which outlines the state government’s vision for the development of ICT, e-governance, and IT infrastructure in all facets of the state.”
The governor said that the state was also investing in fibre optics infrastructure, and data centres from projects and programmes, aimed at leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance urban infrastructure and services.
“We are partnering with global tech giants such as Google and Huawei to advance our technological capabilities.
“Through the partnership with Google, for instance, we are providing AI skills specifically targeted at empowering 5000 women in the state.
“We are proud to support the burgeoning youth-run private innovation hubs springing up all around the state.
“These hubs serve as a vibrant ecosystem for creativity, collaboration, and entrepreneurship; we are committed to providing them with the necessary resources and support to thrive.
“In Kaduna, we are actively exploring the application of these technologies in sectors such as security, agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing, to drive sustainable development and inclusive growth across our state,” Sani said.
The governor commended the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) for conferring on him an award as the Digital Governor of the Year during the 2023 Nigeria Information Technology Merit Award held in Lagos State.
Mr Sani described the award as the recognition of the state government’s effort in information technology.
He said it also underscored the role of collaboration between government, industry, academia, and other professional organisations in driving technological innovation and development in the nation.
Speaking, the President of NCS, Muhammad Aliyu, thanked the governor for hosting the summit.
He said that AI and Robotics Engineering represent the pivotal pillars of the fourth industrial revolution.
Mr Aliyu said it reshapes the way people live, work, and interact, adding that the technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, transportation, finance, and education.
“By harnessing AI and robotics, the government can unlock new avenues for economic growth, enhance efficiency, and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
“Government must prioritize the development of indigenous capabilities in AI and robotics engineering.
“By nurturing local talents and fostering collaboration between the academia, industry, and government, we can cultivate a vibrant ecosystem conducive for innovation and entrepreneurship in these critical domains,” he said.
According to the NCS boss, adopting AI and robotics hold immense potential to streamlining government processes, enhancing service delivery, and driving productivity and competitiveness across sectors.
“Embracing these technologies will help accelerate our journey towards a prosperous and inclusive future,” Mr Alyu said.
NAN
