By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda – Dr. Eric Daimler, a renowned artificial intelligence (AI) expert, urged Uganda to seize the opportunity to establish leadership in AI applications during a special lecture at International University of East Africa.
“Uganda has a strong educational network and a young, energetic population, making it an ideal hub for AI innovation,” Dr. Daimler said. “Focus on applying AI in areas like agriculture, mining, energy, healthcare, and transportation, where local expertise exists.”
Dr. Daimler emphasized the global nature of competition, stating, “We live in a world where we’re all competing globally, whether we like it or not.” He cautioned against protectionism, noting that embracing automation is crucial for Uganda’s leadership.
Dr. Daimler’s remarks highlighted Uganda’s potential for AI-driven growth and the importance of embracing automation.
During the Lecture; ‘International University of East Africa (IUEA) aims to become Africa’s leader in technology and artificial intelligence (AI)’, said Resident Director Hassan Alwi.
“We’re prioritizing strategic initiatives and partnerships to enhance our AI offerings,” Alwi noted. “Becoming a node in the global AI network is our next step.”
“IUEA is committed to establishing itself as a competent participant in the global AI network,” Alwi stressed.
Professor Emeka Akaezuwa, IUEA’s Vice Chancellor, emphasized the university’s pioneering efforts in AI education since 2015. “We’re giving our students broad knowledge to prepare Uganda for AI adoption,” he said.
He stressed that AI creates new jobs too therefore an opportunity. This he said allaying fears of some students with a thought of being replaced.
-“We train students for jobs of today and tomorrow, not obsolete ones. AI has benefits; we need to optimize the good and mitigate job issues.” Professor Akaezuwa highlighted
He inked the issue of collaboration with policymakers to discuss AI benefits and proper usage.
He noted, Dr. Damler’s lecture was part of IUEA’s Leadership Exchange Series, bringing global experts to Uganda.
Responding to policy are related issues raised during the Lecture Ms. Gloria Nassunna from the Ministry of ICT reassured students that regulations are in place to address concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) replacing human jobs. “As the ministry, we are in charge of regulation and policies,” she stated.
Nassunna highlighted Uganda’s efforts to harness AI for national development, citing innovation hubs and international collaborations, such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) global symposium on regulation.She emphasized the importance of local regulations, saying, “We make laws tailored to our jurisdiction, which is Uganda.”
Nassunna also debunked the notion that AI is biased, attributing any bias to human programming. “Humans need to keep our sovereignty over AI,” she stressed.
With Uganda positioning itself at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Ministry of ICT aims to alleviate fears and promote AI’s potential for economic growth and improved public services.