Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly evolving, playing a crucial role in driving economic growth and addressing various societal challenges, amongst many others. In recognition of the rapid evolution and potential of AI, the Federal Ministry of Communication, Innovation, and Digital Economy issued the draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. This Draft Strategy serves as a blueprint for establishing a framework for the responsible utilisation of AI, while also addressing potential risks associated with its use.
It further sets out Nigeria’s vision for becoming a global leader in harnessing the transformative capabilities of AI.
Highlights of the Draft Strategy
Strategic Objectives, Pillars and Initiatives
The Draft Strategy outlines a vision for harnessing the transformative power of AI in Nigeria as a tool for fostering economic growth and competitiveness, promoting social development and inclusion, and advancing technological leadership (Objectives). Further, the Draft Strategy articulates how the Objectives will be achieved through five (5) strategic pillars, each serving as a foundation for achieving the strategic deployment of AI across various sectors.
The pillars are: (i) building foundational AI infrastructure, (ii) building and sustaining a world-class AI ecosystem, (iii) accelerating AI adoption and sector transformation, (iv) ensuring responsible and ethical AI development, and (v) developing a robust AI governance framework.
Furthermore, the Draft Strategy contemplates that implementation of each pillar will result in about thirty-two (32) positive outcomes within a five-year period such as increased AI research and development capacity, deployment of high-performance computing resources, creation of comprehensive national AI principles that are publicly available and transparent, and establishment of a well-respected and diverse AI Ethics Expert Group. Implementation Plan The Draft Strategy outlines critical components of a proposed implementation plan, namely, Governance Structure and Coordination Mechanisms, Key Milestones and Timelines, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and Resource Allocation and Funding Mechanisms.
Implementation Plan
The Draft Strategy outlines critical components of a proposed implementation plan, namely, Governance Structure and Coordination Mechanisms, Key Milestones and Timelines, Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and Resource Allocation and Funding Mechanisms.
However, the Draft Strategy does not provide for how these elements of the Implementation Plan will be developed or executed. The absence of detailed guidance presents challenges in translating the strategy into actionable steps, raising questions about the clarity of roles, the feasibility of any timelines, and the sustainability of funding mechanisms. The approach taken in the Draft Strategy in this regard differs from the approach adopted in the UK National AI Strategy 2021, which prescribes timeframes (on a short-, medium- and long-term basis) for actions to be undertaken by the UK Government and where applicable, certain bodies such as the Ministry of Defence and the NHS AI Lab following the issuance of the UK National AI Strategy.
Notwithstanding the above, the Draft Strategy identifies expected timelines for certain outcomes to occur, and we envisage that this will serve as a guide when the implementation plan is being developed. These outcomes include that it is expected that:
- there should be increased private sector investment in AI infrastructure within a 3-year timeframe.
- there should be an increased number of highly skilled AI professionals working in Nigeria within a 5-year period.
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