The high cost of training artificial intelligence (AI) models is a major obstacle for Nigeria’s development in this field, according to Dr. Oluseyi Akindeinde, founder of Hyperscale.
Akindeinde spoke at the NITRA ICT Growth Conference 4.0 in Lagos, where he discussed the challenges facing AI development in Nigeria. He emphasized that the cost of training AI data is significant, requiring powerful servers that can be very expensive.
Another hurdle is the low level of understanding of AI technology in Nigeria. Akindeinde stressed the need for increased AI education across various sectors to promote progress in this area.
The difficulty of obtaining AI patents in Nigeria is also a concern. Many experts, including lawyers, lack the necessary understanding of AI technology to effectively navigate the patenting process.
Adesola Akinsanya, President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA), highlighted the importance of developing sound policies to support AI development in Nigeria. He emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders, including industry leaders, policymakers, academia, and civil society.
Akinsanya called for policies that promote innovation, develop necessary infrastructure, and cultivate a skilled workforce. He stressed that Nigeria needs to invest in AI education and training to ensure its workforce is equipped to compete in the digital age.
The high cost of training AI models is a global challenge. Even major AI companies like OpenAI have reported spending millions of dollars to train their models.
The Nigerian government has recently launched its own Large Language Model (LLM) as part of its efforts to position Nigeria as an AI leader in Africa. The LLM will be trained in five low-resource languages and accented English to improve language representation in AI development.
The development of AI in Nigeria is hindered by several factors, including the high cost of training models, lack of education, and policy challenges. Addressing these issues is essential for Nigeria to compete in the global AI landscape and reap the benefits of this transformative technology.
