Tech firm urges youths to embrace AI

Fintech. Photo: Oxford Management Centre

A technology firm, TechRise DTI, has called on youths to embrace Artificial Intelligence and digital skills, saying those who combine human expertise with AI tools will be favoured in the future.

The call was made during a webinar on Thursday with the theme, “The AI Advantage: Who Will Benefit More from AI Usage?”

In his welcome address, a director with TechRise, Emmanuel Brendan, said the training was aimed at moving participants from basic AI awareness to practical applications, offering training, technical support and opportunities to develop and commercialise AI-powered solutions.

He explained that the training was to reshape participants by developing a pipeline of technically skilled Nigerians for the country’s digital economy, adding that AI had become a factor in technology development, business productivity and the creation of new digital products.

He said, “Our goal is to invest in people. When you empower one with relevant skills, you create a ripple effect that benefits families, communities, and the nation at large.”

He lamented the high rate of unemployment among young people on the African continent, describing it as a major challenge, stressing that African youths lacked practical skills required in today’s digital marketing world.

“Youth unemployment remains a major challenge with many young graduates lacking practical skills demanded by today’s digital workplaces. Our vision is for an Africa where every young person, regardless of location or circumstance, has the digital skills, tools, and opportunities to shape their own future and lead the continent’s transformation,” Brendan said.

Delivering the keynote lecture, an ICT expert and CEO of Technoville Nigeria, Richard Pepple, said AI would not benefit everyone equally, stressing that the speed at which AI could be deployed made it fundamentally different from previous technological revolutions.

He said, “AI Advantage is the ability to use AI to create significantly better outcomes than you would achieve without it. The real beneficiaries will be those who combine human skills, domain knowledge and judgment to drive efficiency and effectiveness.”

Citing global data, Pepple said AI could create about 117 million jobs but might also displace about 92 million jobs by 2030, lamenting that Africa was likely to be highly affected due to challenges such as limited access to AI tools, low digital literacy, data costs and poor telecommunication networks.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of TechRise DTI, Nseabasi Udondian, said the webinar was aimed at preparing African youths for the digital future, noting that the initiative reflected the company’s commitment to driving meaningful societal change through technology skills acquisition.

“AI is not here to replace you; it is here to multiply you. Learn AI early. Use it to solve real problems in health, agriculture, education and creative work. We have trained over 1,000 youths across Nigeria and Africa in AI, Data, Product Design and Cybersecurity. Don’t just consume AI tools, build with them, and use them to create jobs and businesses for Africa,” Udondian urged the youths.