Abuja: A firm, Havel Corporate Concept Ltd., has introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI) Clubs in Nigerian schools to empower young minds to become ethical digital citizens. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm, Dr. Ahmed Badanga, disclosed this at the AI and Blockchain Conference and Training in Abuja on Monday.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Badanga stated that the firm had received necessary approvals from FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) and FCT Secondary Education Board to run the pilot phase in selected schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). He said the AI school project would commence with 30 students drawn from Government Secondary School, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, and Government Day Secondary School, Wuse 2, Abuja. Havel Corporate Concept Ltd. is reportedly the first organization to focus on educating younger students on responsible AI, implementing strategies on AI literacy, critical thinking, and ethical awareness to ensure AI is used as a tool that enhances human skills and values.
Badanga emphasized the increasing integration of AI into children’s lives and the necessity for young users to understand its impact, potential, and risks. This realization led to the establishment of AI Clubs in Nigerian schools. He described AI as essential in shaping industry operations and human interaction with technology, calling it one of the most important innovations of our time. He noted that the combination of AI and Blockchain technology creates intelligent, secure, and transparent systems with positive outcomes across various industries, with AI providing analytics and automation and blockchain offering a foundation of trust and immutability.
The essence of the conference, Badanga explained, was to unite stakeholders and experts to effectively integrate AI and Blockchain technologies. Such integration could lead to systems that are smarter, more efficient, transparent, secure, and resilient. Despite significant progress in the private sector’s application of AI and blockchain, Nigeria faces challenges in infrastructure and the full implementation of its national strategy on these technologies. The conference aimed to draw attention to the role of legislation and the need to examine the current regulatory framework on AI, ensuring fruitful discussions on the impact of multiple AI-related Bills introduced in the National Assembly.
Dr. Dasuki Arabi, Director General, Bureau of Public Service Reform (BPSR), highlighted the federal government’s introduction of AI and Blockchain as part of its inclusive digitalization of the public service system. Arabi reinforced the government’s commitment to creating a digitized public service for school children to responsibly operate and manage as they grow. Acting Executive Chairman of FCT-UBEB, Alhassan Sule, commended the firm for supporting government efforts in integrating technology into public schools. Represented by Mrs. Florence Wenegieme, Director of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, Sule added that the initiative would significantly improve the adaptation of AI and blockchain technologies in schools.