The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), on Friday encouraged women to leverage on opportunities in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to become leaders and innovators.
The Head, Innovation Unit, NDPC, Ms Adaobi Nwankwo, said this at the Women Entrepreneurs and Executives in Technology Summit (WEETS 2024) in Lagos.
She said that women had the opportunity to lead and innovate in AI while upholding strong data protection practices.
BRANDPOWER reports that the theme of this year’s WEETS is “AI Leadership: Navigating The Future of Women in Business”.
She said that women should be encouraged to pursue careers in AI such as data science and analytics, data ethics and governance, compliance auditing, product and project management in emerging tech, among others.
The NDPC official said that women should actively seek leadership roles, and urged organisations to foster diversity and inclusivity, particularly in AI governance and data protection roles.
According to her, organisations and societies like Women Entrepreneurs and Executives in Tech (WEET), Women in Machine Learning and Data Science (WiMLDS) and AnitaB.org support women in tech through resources and networking opportunities.
“Scholarships and training programmes, such as Girls Who Code, provide pathways for women to enter the tech workforce.
“AI enhances productivity through automation, predictive analytics and improved decision-making processes.
“Companies like Amazon utilise AI for customer insights and operational efficiencies, demonstrating the technology’s transformative potential,’’ Nwankwo said.
According to her, women leaders such as Reshma Saujani of Girls Who Code are setting benchmarks for success and advocating for diverse perspectives in AI development.
Also in a panel discussion, women were encouraged to pick interest in technology and AI.
A revenue growth expert, Cynthia Alabi, said that women needed to break even in technologies with interest.
Alabi said that interest could make AI as easy as people use the WhatsApp.
A Transformational Technology Leader, Tinuade Oguntuyi, said that women should leverage technology to their advantage.
Oguntuyi said that women should use AI to enhance their creativity in business so as to stand out in what they do.
She emphasised emotional intelligence for women to be able to deal with pressure and acquire soft and hard skills.
The Chief Operating Officer, VDT, Mrs Abimbola Ikumariege, stressed that new skills would be required for jobs by 2030.
Ikumariegbe said that anyone could change if he or she was receptive and wanted to make progress.
She said that there was the need for women to check their horizons for new developments, be focused and embrace change.
