ABU Vice-Chancellor says Artificial Intelligence Presents Possibilities, Challenges

The Vice-Chancellor, Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Kabiru Bala, says artificial intelligence has presented both immense possibilities and challenges.

Prof Bala, who spoke at the 3rd international conference put together by ABU Library Complex in collaboration with the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU), called for the harnessing of the technology to drive progress while addressing its ethical, social, and economic implications.

The hybrid conference, themed ‘Open Science, Open Knowledge, Artificial Intelligence and Climate Change in Africa’, took place at the CBN Centre for Economics and Finance, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria today (Wednesday, 4th December, 2024).

“Climate change is one of the most pressing issues of our time and it demands collective attention and action to mitigate impacts of drought, floods, heatwave and rising sea levels which affect the aviation industry”, the Vice-Chancellor also said.

In a welcome address, the Ag. University Librarian, Ahmadu Bello University, Dr. Abubakar Abdullahi Mohammed, described the conference as a “crossroad of knowledge, innovation and responsibility of brilliant minds to tackle pressing issues like open science, the evolving role of artificial intelligence and the complex dynamics of climate change in Africa”.

He stressed that libraries as a stronghold of knowledge play a pivotal role in fostering transformation by championing access to information, enabling research and empowering communities to adapt and thrive.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, commended ABU and AAAU for being beacons of hope and for creating an environment for AI to flourish.

Represented by Dr Emmanuel C Meribole, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, the minister called for meaningful collaboration and productive sharing of data.

The Registrar, AAAU, Mustapha Sheikh Abdullahi, expressed appreciation for the collaboration and praised the blending of global ambition with local relevance in the theme of the conference.

Sheikh emphasized that the conference is a call to action by embracing ethics while pointing out that the event is a beacon of hope and catalyst for action.

Also speaking, ABU’s former Ag. University Librarian, Dr Abdulhamid Gambo Liman, called for more collaboration to encourage interdisciplinary research.

Earlier, the chairman, local organizing committee, Dr Ibinaiye Dorcas, called for more collaborations between academics and policy makers to explore new pathways to deal with challenges posed by climate change.

………………………………….
Public Affairs Directorate,
Office of the Vice-Chancellor,
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
(SGB)

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