By 
By Tracy Yekaghe
Only about 3% of Nigerian IT professionals are focusing on AI and Robotics, according to Professor Adesina Simon Sodiya.
Prof Sodiya
Sodiya, an academic and president of the country’s foremost IT body, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) in a recent interview with IT Edge News.Africa says the AI and robotics field is still largely unexplored in Nigeria
“Few years ago we discovered that just about 3% of professionals in Nigeria are in the area of AI and Robotics and yet to develop to the level we desire.
“Hence, as the leading IT body we thought to create programs and relevant activities that would create awareness in the area of AI and Robotics that would make some of our people develop the needed Interest,” Sodiya tells IT Edge News.Africa.
Adding: “Also, because of the opportunities currently available in the adoption of AI in all the things we do, we decided that we would develop capacity in this area which led to the putting together of this summit.”
RELATED: NCS is engaging government to use AI and Robotics for good governance, national development – Prof Sodiya
He says it has become important to make more of their members develop the needed interest considering the opportunities currently available in the adoption of AI.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is deemed a branch of computer science. It involves developing computer programs to complete tasks that would otherwise require human intelligence. AI algorithms can tackle learning, perception, problem-solving, language-understanding and/or logical reasoning.
Artificial intelligence teaches functions like spatial relations, grasping objects, computer vision, motion control, etc., in robots to make them understand and work on unseen data and situations. Robotics is considered as a branch of AI, which is composed of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Computer Science for designing, construction, and application of robots. Advancements made in AI and robotics has practically reworked the entire industry in a way experts say, will reshape human existence across all sectors whether in economics, politics, health or education.
The top ten advanced robotics countries in 2022 include South Korea, Japan, the USA, Canada, Germany, and Italy, Others are Sweden, Denmark, Taiwan, and China. China.
China is one of the top countries on robotics with the supply of more than 150,000 industrial robots. Robotics funding is set to enhance the supply of robots in the country with “Made in China 2025” strategy to drive revenue efficiently.
Technology Market Insights on statista.com reveals that revenue in the robotics market is projected to reach US$34.94bn in 2023.
According to PWC Global, the greatest economic gains from AI will be in China (26% boost to GDP in 2030) and North America (14.5% boost), equivalent to a total of $10.7 trillion and accounting for almost 70% of the global economic impact.
Analysts say AI is boosting further innovation in the field of automation. AI in robotics is becoming more sophisticated, and the use of self-learning robots is becoming more popular.
In addition to that, the possibility to collect and analyze data from intelligently automated processes allows manufacturers and service providers to make data-driven decisions.
Even though these technologies are still in their infancy, experts believe the robotics and AI are two technologies that hold great promise for the future of humans.
It is projected that robots and AI will take over the manufacturing, delivery, design and marketing of most goods. AI service robots will do almost all household chores.
To help create awareness and deepen interest in AI and robotics amongst IT professionals in Nigeria, the NCS held its 2nd Artificial Intelligence & Robotic Summit in Jos, Plateau state recently.
“We are using the opportunity of this summit to also bring awareness of emerging technologies in the industry since our long term goal is to advance these innovations and inventions by attracting more investors and venture capitalists as well as other corporate organizations, individuals and government to show interest and support this kind of program,” Sodiya tells the IT Edge News.Africa.
“It is for this reason that we now have some of our people who are currently working closely with AI experts outside Nigeria to build solutions for the country,” he added.
