Author: Michael O Oke

The Borno State Government has officially commenced a targeted Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills training programme designed to equip young people and secondary school students with in‑demand digital competencies that can enhance their future employability and economic prospects. The initiative, launched as an AI boot camp, is one of the latest steps the state has taken to prepare youth for opportunities in the evolving digital economy. According to reports, the programme will provide hands‑on instruction in AI fundamentals and related digital tools, enabling participants to gain practical experience that could improve their chances of securing work in technology‑driven industries. The boot…

The National Gallery of Art (NGA) has launched a major AI-enhanced training initiative to equip 50,000 young Nigerians with the skills to integrate art and artificial intelligence (AI) into visual creative practice. The programme announced in Abuja at the unveiling of the National Creatives AI Media Toolkit reflects a growing focus on developing Nigeria’s digital and creative sectors. The initiative, led by NGA’s Director-General Dr Ahmed Sodangi, was unveiled at the SGF Innovative Hub, Mabushi, as a collaborative effort with AIDOS Studios, a subsidiary of the Social Good Fund. Its stated aim is to provide aspiring and practising visual artists with…

Qwen is not simply another large language model added to an already crowded global field. It is better understood as an enabling layer: a foundation on which enterprise tools, developer platforms, and sector-specific AI applications are being built. Its development reflects a deliberate attempt to integrate cutting-edge research with the practical requirements of large-scale cloud services. In doing so, it sheds light on how AI capabilities are increasingly embedded within cloud ecosystems rather than offered as standalone products. Knowing Qwen and Its Place in Alibaba Cloud Qwen is a family of large-scale foundation models developed under the Alibaba Group umbrella…

From the early days of ELIZA in the 1960s to today’s sophisticated conversational agents, chatbots have undergone profound transformations. Initially, chatbots were simple programs designed to mimic conversation with predefined scripts. Their interactions were often limited, mechanical, and confined to narrow domains. Over the past two decades, however, advances in natural language processing, machine learning, and computational power have enabled chatbots to engage users with increasing sophistication, handling complex queries and understanding nuanced contexts. Within this landscape, Grok AI has emerged as a notable player. Unlike many conventional chatbots, which often operate within rigid boundaries, Grok AI integrates cutting-edge language…

Elon Musk has repeatedly warned about the dangers of AI, often framing it as a threat that could surpass other global risks. He has described AI as “more dangerous than nuclear weapons,” underscoring the urgency of governance and oversight. Musk’s warnings highlight several concerns: Autonomous decision-making: AI systems making high-stakes choices independently could have unintended consequences. Existential risk: Advanced AI, if misaligned with human values, could pose threats to humanity at large. Speed of development: Musk frequently notes that AI development may outpace regulatory frameworks, creating governance gaps. These statements resonate globally. For example, in Nigeria, AI regulations are still…

For Nigerian, DeepMind’s relevance is no longer abstract. AI-powered tools increasingly shape search engines, digital advertising, smartphones, healthcare research, education platforms, and even public administration systems that Nigerians interact with daily. Decisions made in research centres thousands of kilometres away now influence how information is accessed, how businesses compete, and how skills are valued in Nigeria’s labour market. Understanding Google DeepMind is therefore not simply about tracking global technology trends. It is about understanding the intellectual engine driving many of Google’s most advanced AI capabilities, the scientific assumptions behind them, and the broader implications for countries like Nigeria that are…

The global race for AI supremacy is no longer just about algorithms; it is equally about the hardware that makes these systems feasible. Central to this technological revolution is NVIDIA, the American technology company whose graphics processing units (GPUs) have become indispensable for AI computation. For Nigerian readers, understanding NVIDIA’s pivotal role in AI is increasingly important. As Nigeria pushes for AI-driven growth across sectors from banking and healthcare to education and creative industries, its ability to leverage the right technology is critical to both competitiveness and socio-economic development. Also read: How AI Is Transforming Nigeria’s Creator Economy. Understanding the…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has swiftly moved from academic research to becoming a transformative force across industries, economies, and societies. As AI technologies permeate finance, healthcare, education, and governance, the underlying infrastructure and tools that enable these systems have come under greater scrutiny. Among the leading forces driving this AI revolution is NVIDIA, a company originally known for graphics processing units (GPUs) but now central to the global AI ecosystem. For Nigeria, understanding NVIDIA’s role is not merely a technological curiosity; it has implications for economic growth, talent development, and digital competitiveness. The Origins of NVIDIA and Its Shift to AI…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from the fringes of scientific research into the fabric of everyday life. Among the companies shaping this transformation, Google stands out for its ambitious research agenda, extensive product portfolio, and real-world impact of its AI technologies. For Nigeria, a country poised at the intersection of digital adoption and economic growth, understanding Google AI is more than academic—it is essential for policy planning, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. This article offers a comprehensive exploration of Google AI, its research philosophy, core products, and the ways these innovations influence societies worldwide, with particular focus on Nigeria. Understanding Google…

A new report by public strategy and media group Gatefield has projected that up to 30 million Nigerian women and girls could face AI-facilitated online attacks annually by 2030 if urgent regulatory and digital safety measures are not implemented. The projection is contained in Gatefield’s State of Online Harms 2025 report, which examines the growing intersection between emerging technologies and digital violence in Nigeria. The report warns that advances in artificial intelligence, particularly generative AI tools, are accelerating the scale, speed and sophistication of online abuse targeting women and girls. According to Gatefield, AI-enabled threats may include the creation of…