Engr. Ikechukwu Nnamani, CEO of Digital Realty Nigeria, has emphasized the need for ethical development and regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.
Speaking to the executive of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) who were on a courtesy visit to his Lagos office, Nnamani noted the growing trend of non-ethical AI solutions being developed for profit.
“While the U.S. and other developed countries are actively working on AI safety and best practices, Nigeria needs to implement similar measures to prevent abuse and ensure ethical use,” said Nnamani.
He praised the Nigerian government’s efforts to regulate AI but emphasized the need for more proactive measures to address potential harms.
Nnamani also addressed concerns about job displacement due to AI, stating that AI will primarily drive up-skilling rather than job loss. “People need to be retrained to use AI for better efficiency and cost-effectiveness,” he said.
Regarding data centers, Nnamani noted that Nigeria’s current capacity falls short of the demand required for a truly digital economy. He called for increased investment in data center infrastructure and government support to bridge this gap.
“Challenges such as power and foreign exchange (FOREX) hinder data center operations in Nigeria,” Nnamani said. He urged the Federal Government to address these issues to create a more conducive environment for the industry.