Code, Create Thrive! Abia State’s AI master plan
Abia State’s chances of coordinating homegrown coding and artificial intelligence (AI) platform are promising, given the recent training initiatives in the state. For the records, there’s Growing demand for AI skills: The global AI market is projected to reach $1 trillion in revenue within a decade, creating a huge demand for AI skills. Governor Otti in tackling unemployment, has just set into motion a machinery to enable Abia State capitalize on this trend by nurturing a hybrid community of globally trained coding, AI and its own talent pool in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia. Otti is banking on the Availability of talent in Abia State due to its relatively high literacy rate of 72.2% (2020 data), indicating a sizable pool of potential coders and AI professionals. Crucial to his plan is the Government’s support as she has consistently shown commitment to promoting technology and innovation, with initiatives like the Abia State Innovation Hub and the Abia State Tech Summit. As is his style, Dr Otti, rising from numerous consultative meetings is streamlining private sector led Partnership opportunities with OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google to access resources, expertise, and funding for AI development. In one of his meetings, he mainstreamed Abia’s Existing and Expanding infrastructure including universities, polytechnics, and innovation hubs, which can support the growth of a coding and AI ecosystem.
To further develop Abia state’s coding and AI driven capabilities, Governor Otti’s administration is reaching to resource rich entities to Establish AI training programs such as develop specialized training programs in AI, machine learning, and data science to build a skilled workforce. He has Instructed his aides and relevant agencies to find ways expand existing innovation hubs and incubators to support more startups and entrepreneurs working on AI-related projects. There’s been so much talk about Abia State University’s delapidated infrastructure, lopsided appointment, and Maladministration of finance. Otti’s midas touch is set to snip the fortunes of the Ivory tower around in no time as robust partnerships are in the works with organizations, universities, and research institutions to access resources, expertise, and funding. This is so that ABSU can be vital in developing and leading initiatives borne out of AI-friendly policies. Examples such as tax incentives, funding for AI startups, and regulations that encourage innovation.
By taking these steps and more Dr Otti also known as the driver of Otti Wave 🌊 can position Abia as a hub for coding and AI innovation in Nigeria, driving economic growth, and creating opportunities for its citizens.
Dr Chukwuemeka Ifegwu Eke writes from the University of Abuja Nigeria.
