Author urges students to stop consuming AI, build solutions

Chief Executive Officer of Tritek Academy, Dr Adeshola Cole-Alegbe, has urged Nigerian youths to cease merely using artificial intelligence and instead acquire the necessary skills to construct and advance AI solutions. Cole-Alegbe emphasized that Nigeria must alter its perspective on AI education by shifting from teaching individuals how to utilize existing AI tools to equipping them with the knowledge to comprehend and create the technology.

She made this statement while launching her first book, The Woman I Have Become, a memoir recounting her journey from the United Kingdom to embracing Nigerian culture, overcoming obstacles, evolving as a leader, and ultimately establishing a career in technology.

Cole-Alegbe highlighted the accelerated expansion of AI, emphasizing that it became increasingly critical for young Nigerians to enhance their intellect rather than solely relying on technology to accomplish tasks. "Whether they like it or not, their intellect, their level of intellect, is still going to be important. Even if you get a job and you’re thinking, well, AI helped me, at some point, if you don’t have the mental and intellectual knowledge, you will get caught out," she stated.

The author, who is also a project manager, business analyst, and AI specialist, revealed that the book aimed to convey to the younger generation that success is a gradual process involving errors, perseverance, and self-discovery.

Cole-Alegbe elaborated on the book's themes, including survival, adapting to Nigerian culture following upbringing in the UK, self-identity, her leadership path, and the leadership mistakes she encountered. She emphasized that the five-chapter book covered her transition to Nigeria, cultural adaptation, university years, employment in the UK, and her route to becoming a CEO.

Tritek Academy, Cole-Alegbe's organization, has spent nine years assisting individuals lacking technology backgrounds in transitioning into tech careers. She mentioned that AI had been integrated into their training programs. Tritek Academy intends to collaborate with the government and institutions, and she envisions an initiative to acquaint Nigerian youths with AI's development and backend operations.

The government and universities must play a pivotal role in ensuring young Nigerians develop the skills needed to create AI solutions, Cole-Alegbe argued.