By Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor, Anipr
Center for development studies, Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri, has concluded a two day seminar/workshop on artificial intelligence, tagged, "Artificial Intelligence in Development".
The Seminar/Workshop, which has Sub-Themes as;
- Introduction to Artificial Intelligence,
- Artificial Intelligence in Data Analysis, Interpretation and Presentation,
- Ethical Implication of Artificial Intelligence, and
- Artificial Intelligence as a Multidisciplinary tool, took place on Thursday, July 25th and Friday, July 26th, 2024, at Leo Stan Ekeh Foundation, Faculty of Humanities, Imo State University.
In his speech, the Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Uchefula U. Chukwumaeze, SAN, FCArb, ably represented by the Assistant Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Onyekachi A. Nwaozor, described the seminar/workshop, as well as it's Theme as timely.
Speaking further, Professor Chukwumaeze said that the whole world is rapidly changing as a result of different types of technological inventions, and Imo State University, under his watch will not be left behind in the fast moving world of technology.
While commending the Director, Center for Development Studies, Professor Preet Onyeka for the wonderful idea of such seminar/workshop, the Vice-Chancellor reemphasized his administation's efforts towards moving Imo State University to greater heights in all areas, especially, development.
He therefore, charged the participants, to take the seminar/workshop seriously, adding that the knowledge they will acquire will not only enhance them individually, but will also have multiplier effect in their families, the university and the larger society.
Earlier in her address, the Director, Center for Development Studies, Professor Preet Onyeka stated that, Artificial Intelligence covers all development areas. She revealed that she has approached and requested her parent country (India), to intervene in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programmes at IMSU, and Center for Development Studies will soon sign MOU with Indian Government to that effect, so that IMSU students will have free programmes in various fields of ICT
Professor Onyeka however, hinted that her vision and mission is to build and equip an ICT center in her Directorate; Center for Development Studies, with the help of Indian Government.
She announced that IMSU Center for Development Studies will soon commence a 3 months ICT Certificate Programme in the following areas:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cyber Security
. Data Management and Informatics
- Simulation and Modelling
- Nursing Informatics, and
- Medical Informatics.
In addition, the Center equally intends to start a 3 months entrepreneurship programme in fields like: Tie and Dye, Pottery, Toiletries, Car wash, hair creams, shampoos, among others.
While delivering the Keynote Lecture, the Director of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Center, Imo State University, Professor Okey Nwofor, on a topic; Artificial Intelligence in Research and Development: The Scientific Basis, defined artificial intelligence as machine intelligence, implemented in computers, created by mimicking the processes associated with human intelligence.
He explained that "the procedure is a combination of scientific principles, involving algorithm development, machine learning, big data natural network, and fuzzy logic systems. Having become very successful, artificial Intelligence system now achieves much of what humans achieve with their intelligence, which includes; comprehending, organizing and processing information".
Professor Nwofor added that, "the limits of what artificial system can do are however, determined by the level of Scientific capacity of the human brain and how humans choose to deploy these, hence the concerns as to when such artificially intelligent systems would take over the entire roles".
On his part, the lead presenter, Professor Kenneth Yongabi, while speaking on his paper, titled, "Contemporary Multidisciplinary Research Methods in Development Studies: Unlearn to Learn; Relearn to Learn", highlighted that "development is at the core of contemporary global issues. and to address these, a mono or linear research is too paranoid".
Speaking further, Professor Yongabi stated that "development is a construct of systemic epistemology, which a Multidisciplinary research is unavoidable". He defined development studies as an interdisciplinary field that studies processes of Socio-economic change in developing countries, saying that it is not purely an economic phenomenon but rather a multidimensional process, involving reorganization and reorientation of entire economic and social systems.
Other Speakers at the seminar/workshop were: Dr Kenneth C. Ukwuegbu, Polycap Chia, PhD, Professor Azuwuike Dominic, Rev. Fr. Anthony Ibe, Ph.D, and Chris Igbozuruike, Ph.D.
Dignitaries in attendance included: Professor Okey Okoro, the former University Librarian of Imo State University and former Commissioner for Petroleum, Imo State, Professor P. U. Okorie, Dean School of Postgraduate Studies, IMSU, Professor Felix Nwobi, Other Professors, teaching and non- teaching staff of IMSU, as well as some Postgraduate students of IMSU.
Augustus Onyekachi Nwaozor is
The Assistant Public Relations Officer
of Imo State University.
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