Managing Director, Microsoft Nigeria and Ghana, Ola Williams, said to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence (AI), Nigeria needs sound regulatory support to ensure strong reception and usage of the technology.
Williams said achieving sound regulation boils down to two key aspects – usefulness and trust.
While technology must genuinely solve real-world problems and enhance people’s lives, it also needs to be trustworthy, backed by safety nets that protect societal and ethical values.
She stated this in Lagos while speaking to journalists.
According to her, building and deepening trust should be at the forefront of how governments develop AI regulations and industry practices.
“Companies like ours, involved in the development and deployment of AI, also have a significant responsibility to continuously invest in robust AI governance practices, ensuring the technology is used safely, securely, and in a manner that the public deems trustworthy,” she said.
She said the infrastructure needed to fuel AI innovation needs even greater intensity of planning and investment.
According to her, AI capabilities are doubling every six months, requiring constant investment to maintain cutting-edge infrastructure.
She said: “It is for this reason that we can expect to see ongoing strategic investments from organisations across both the public and private sectors to expand infrastructure in strategic locations on the continent.”
She noted that industry leaders would increasingly be required to join forces to drive the scale of impact needed and partner to develop entire digital ecosystems.
