The Global AI Impact Summit held recently in New Delhi showcased a wide variety of innovative AI solutions, from advanced medical diagnostic tools to digital platforms designed to assist farmers in enhancing productivity and efficiency. Among the attendees was Jimeh Saleh from the Amana Inclusive Technology Initiative, who shares his reflections on Nigeria’s preparedness for the AI revolution and the essential lessons it could glean from India’s robust AI environment.
Over the course of the week, industry leaders and technology experts gathered in New Delhi to display the latest advancements in technology. Artificial Intelligence permeated the exhibitions, but beyond the impressive exhibits by companies like Meta, Google, and Cisco, it was the flourishing local AI ecosystem in India that particularly stood out. This ecosystem thrives on competitive collaboration among states and various ministries, each presenting their homegrown solutions with pride.
One notable example from the Indian Department of Rural Development is its effective system for cash transfers under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). This AI-driven initiative utilizes facial recognition technology for secure verification of beneficiaries, integrates digital payment systems, and employs real-time monitoring for added accountability—successfully distributing over $700 million to vulnerable populations including widows and individuals with disabilities.
Another exemplary innovation is the AI-powered chatbot Bharati from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. This service provides farmers with vital information on loans, offers advice, and communicates in local languages. Remarkably, Bharati is available via even basic mobile phones without the need for internet connectivity; farmers can simply call a designated number, pose questions, and receive immediate assistance.
Nigeria and India exhibit parallels in their climates, linguistic variations, and social inequalities, sharing a colonial past that has shaped their educational systems. However, India’s approach to its AI revolution is uniquely guided by the Seven Chakras, which represent foundational principles drawn from ancient philosophies and align with the human body's energy centers. These Chakras dictate governance in India's AI sector, promoting safety, trust, inclusiveness, economic progress, and innovation centered on the populace.
At the summit, Jimeh Saleh encountered developers who, despite limited proficiency in English, played pivotal roles in creating some of the most impressive AI tools showcased. This underscored the need for Nigeria to foster linguistic inclusivity. By translating educational resources into major local languages, Nigeria could tap into the vast potential of its youth who have tech-savvy capabilities outside the conventional educational framework. Rigid requirements such as attaining 'five credits and above' in examinations or the necessity for proficient English often exclude talented individuals capable of crafting essential local solutions.
Genuine inclusion in AI cannot be achieved if language remains a barrier. India's advancements are rooted in solid foundations in science and mathematics, often taught in local languages such as Hindi or Tamil. During Saleh's visit, coinciding with academic board examinations akin to Nigeria's WAEC or NECO, students expressed deep enthusiasm for mathematics and physics, exhibiting confidence in the integrity of their assessments. In stark contrast, the erosion of trust in Nigeria's educational standards has led parents to perceive failures as circumventable.
Central to India's AI advancement is a public AI infrastructure featuring over 50,000 accessible Nvidia Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). These resources are available not just to large corporations but also to individual developers, fostering innovation beyond a profit-first narrative.
India has effectively reduced barriers to entry for AI development, significantly lowering costs associated with GPU access to approximately 65 Rupees (about $0.70) per hour through its national AI portal. Additionally, the launch of AI Kosha, which includes over 300 readily usable datasets spanning agriculture, healthcare, and logistics, provides crucial localized data at no cost to developers—a boon for local coders. AI servers are also being positioned in public areas, ensuring quick responses even in low- internet scenarios.
This remarkable progress is supported by reliable security and a consistent power supply, two factors Nigeria has yet to establish effectively. In parts of Old Delhi, where Saleh stayed, he witnessed a community with visible poverty yet devoid of crime incidents, accompanied by uninterrupted electricity.
Contrastingly, even by South African standards, Nigeria's erratic power supply remains a hindrance. Countries such as Rwanda and Ethiopia are harnessing technology to drive their national development, successfully implementing AI across agriculture, healthcare, and education sectors. Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has even initiated plans for an AI-specific university to further bolster their technological advancements.
For Nigeria to cultivate a meaningful AI ecosystem, it must prioritize establishing reliable national datasets, promoting linguistic inclusivity, and implementing a strategic drive towards AI literacy. Furthermore, mandatory AI literacy training for senior governmental officials should be instituted so that they comprehend AI’s transformative capabilities for governance, efficiency, and accountability.
It remains contradictory for AI-powered tools to secure banking transactions yet fall short in facilitating election results.
During discussions with officials at a ministry's exhibition stand, Saleh shared his interest in adapting an open-source tool for Nigeria. An Indian official revealed that a prominent Nigerian ministry had previously shown interest in the same tool, even promising to support the Nigerian delegation with the necessary technical assistance for its implementation, yet there was no follow-up from the officials involved.
Despite facing hurdles, Nigeria continues to attract considerable interest from global investors. At the Nigeria AI Collective exhibition, genuine excitement from international participants was palpable. However, for substantial progress to materialize, alignment between state governments and ministries is crucial, in conjunction with the federal government’s AI agenda spearheaded by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani. Assigning AI a cabinet-level status could amplify investment opportunities, facilitate localization of data, and enhance national integration on AI initiatives.
These visions may prove challenging without developing a solid legal framework and ensuring consistent budget execution. In view of Nigeria’s appeal to major tech players, implementing a 2 percent annual levy on the profits of leading technology companies within the country could provide sustainable funding for AI education and workforce development.
Nigeria stands at a crucial juncture, possessing the talent, market, and ambition necessary to emerge as a continental leader in AI. However, the nation must lay down robust foundations, guarantee dependable data, foster inclusive educational practices, strengthen its infrastructure, and develop a governance philosophy that emphasizes trust and accountability. India’s Seven Chakras serve as a testament to the idea that progress is achievable when innovation is aligned with commitments to core values.
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