Artificial Intelligence will create jobs, not unemployment – expert 

Mr  Christopher Ugbebor, a software engineer, says rather than cause unemployment, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a veritable tool for job creation and economic growth.

Ugbegbor told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday that government at all levels should, therefore, harness AI in its youth employment drive.

He said they could achieve through strategic investments in infrastructure, education, and inclusive policies.

He said the collaboration  among the government initiatives and agencies such as  the National Digital Economy Policy, private sector, and international partners could create an ecosystem where AI drives job growth.

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“By focusing on localised AI solutions and equitable access, Nigeria can harness AI to transform its unemployment challenges into opportunities for sustainable development,” he told NAN.

“AI holds significant potential to address unemployment in Nigeria by transforming industries, enhancing skills, and fostering innovation.

“AI can spur growth in tech-driven sectors, creating demand for roles like data scientists, AI engineers, and cybersecurity experts.

“Initiatives like Lagos’s “Yabacon Valley” could expand, fostering startups that leverage AI for local solutions examples are Fintech and Healthtech,” he said.

Ugbegbor also said Artificial Intelligence could automate routine tasks in various industries, freeing up human workers to focus on more complex, creative, and strategic jobs and potentially creating new job roles requiring higher-level skills.

He said automation could replace low-skill roles but re-skilling programmes such as AI-assisted artisans, rather than displace artisans from their jobs.

“AI cannot totally replace AI-aware humans but those who are unable to upskill themselves with current AI skills which are readily available on the internet.

“This includes AI tools for precision farming, for example soil analysis, weather prediction apps like Farm Crowdy can boost agricultural productivity, creating jobs in tech support, logistics, and agro-processing.

“There is also skills development and re-skilling educational institutions need to integrate AI skills development into their curriculum to prepare students for the future workforce,” Ugbegbor said.

He said AI platforms like Coursera or local equivalents had personalised offers, affordable training in digital skills which were capable of bridging the education gap.

“Partnerships with organisations like Andela or Google Africa Developer Scholarships had reskilled youth for AI-related roles, aligning education with market needs,” he said.

Ugbegbor said AI diagnostics, a digital health company that connects patients with healthcare professionals using AI-powered technology had reduced clinician workload significantly, allowing professionals to serve more patients and creating roles for AI maintenance staff.

“AI-driven automation in supply chains has significantly lowered costs, enabling SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) to scale up and hire more workers for higher-value tasks.

“AI-driven platforms have connected so many Nigerian freelancers to global opportunities in writing, design, or software development which creates job opportunities and guaranteed income especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It has opened great remote job opportunities for Nigerians earning in foreign currencies,” he said.

Ugbegbor also said AI analytics could help entrepreneurs optimise operations, reducing costs and foster business growth.

He said AI tools had improved public sector efficiencies in so many ways including

Smart Governance, adding that AI could streamline public services in the areas of automated tax systems, reducing bureaucracy and creating tech jobs.