Youths get AI, digital training to create jobs

A non-governmental organisation, TechRise DTI, has trained some Nigerian youths to embrace Artificial Intelligence and digital skills, stressing that the future of work will favour those who combine human expertise with AI tools.

The call was made during a Webinar session on Tuesday with the theme, ‘The AI Advantage: Who Will Benefit More from AI Usage?’

The Director with TechRise, Emmanuel Brendan, said the training aimed on moving participants from basic AI awareness to practical applications, offering training, technical support and opportunities to develop and commercialise AI-powered solutions.

He said, “Our goal is to invest in people. When you empower one with relevant skills, you create a ripple effect that benefits families, communities, and the nation at large.”

He lamented high rate of unemployment among young people in the African continent, describing it as a major challenge, stressing that African youths lacks practical skills required in today’s digital marketing world.

“Youth unemployment remains a major challenge with many young graduates lacking practical skills demanded by today’s digital workplaces. Our vision is for an Africa where every young person, regardless of location or circumstance, has the digital skills, tools, and opportunities to shape their own future and lead the continent’s transformation”, Brendan said.

Delivering the keynote lecture, ICT expert and CEO of Technoville Nigeria, Richard Pepple, said AI will not benefit everyone equally, stressing that the speed at which AI can be deployed makes it fundamentally different from previous technological revolutions.

He said, “AI Advantage is the ability to use AI to create significantly better outcomes than you would achieve without it. The real beneficiaries will be those who combine human skills, domain knowledge and judgment to drive efficiency and effectiveness.”

Citing global data, Pepple said AI could create about 117 million jobs, but may also displace about 92 million jobs by 2030, lamenting that Africa is likely to be highly affected due to challenges such as limited access to AI tools, low digital literacy, data costs and poor telecommunication networks.

In her remarks, the Executive Director of the TechRise DTI, Nseabasi Udondian, said the webinar was aimed at preparing African youths for the digital future, noting that the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to driving meaningful societal change throug technology skills acquisition.

Udondian urged participants to effectively utilise the knowledge in Artificial intelligence to create jobs and businesses for self-substance, adding that the emergence of Artificial intelligence is to multiply work efficiency.

“AI is here to to multiply you. Learn AI early. Use it to solve real problems in health, agriculture, education and creative work. We have trained over 1,000 youths across Nigeria and Africa in AI, Data, Product Design and Cybersecurity. Don’t just consume AI tools, build with them, and use them to create jobs and businesses for Africa,” Udondian said.