Abuja: Nigerian civil engineers have been called upon to take advantage of artificial intelligence and Big Data to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable infrastructure that responds to the needs of growing populations. The Engineers have also been advised not to just be consumers of technology but to contribute to it.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the African Continental Representative of World Council of Civil Engineers, WCCE, Dr. Aishatu Aliyu Umar, made the call at the 20th General Assembly of the WCCE holding in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. Speaking on the theme of the Assembly ‘Artificial Intelligence, Data and Design: Reimagining Civil Engineering for a Connected World,’ she pointed out the different ways artificial intelligence is reshaping the engineering landscape.
Dr. Umar emphasized that artificial intelligence is actively shaping various aspects of civil engineering, including the modeling of bridges, monitoring structural integrity, managing urban traffic, predicting environmental hazards, and optimizing construction costs in real-time. She highlighted the potential for creating smarter infrastructures through the integration of AI, big data analytics, and advanced design tools.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. George Akume, addressed the challenges posed by climate change, rapid urbanization, and population expansion, which necessitate innovative engineering solutions for resilient infrastructure. He stressed the importance of harnessing emerging technologies to improve infrastructural planning, construction processes, and resource optimization.
Mr. Akume, represented by his senior technical adviser, Prof. Babatunde Bernard, noted that the General Assembly’s timing aligns with the Nigerian President’s focus on infrastructure development, as demonstrated through several flagship projects. The integration of AI and data-driven design was identified as critical for enhancing productivity, sustainability, and connectivity nationwide.
The President of the WCCE, Mr. Oscar Alberto S¡nchez Zº±iga, addressed the role of engineers in tackling climate change, natural disasters, and the lack of sustainable infrastructure. He encouraged engineers to view their work as a service to humanity, emphasizing a commitment to excellence, responsibility, sustainability, and ethics. Mr. Zº±iga urged engineers to consider their projects as opportunities to build trust and contribute to a better future.