By Mahdi Waziri Isa
The Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Prof Adamu Ahmed, says the institution will continue to support individuals and groups in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and learning.
Prof Ahmed, who spoke at the 4th National Conference organised by the Institute of Education, Ahmadu Bello University, also said the University would continue to push human learning and innovation.
The conference, ‘Artificial Intelligence and Human Decision in Teaching and Learning: Challenges and Way Forward in Nigeria Educational System’, took place at Yusufu Bala Usman Hall today (Tuesday, 13th May, 2023).
Prof Ahmed was ably represented at the occasion by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof Raymond B Bako.
The Vice-Chancellor, who declared the conference open, stated that the University would always pride itself as a citadel of learning promoting academic excellence.
“We are in a world of technology that influences virtually everything. Therefore, it is important for the institution to organise such a conference on artificial intelligence that threatens many things” he said.
He commended the Director, Institute of Education, Prof. A.M Jumare, and the Local Organising Committee, for putting together the conference.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Sahalu B Junaidu, asserted that artificial intelligence was a disruption poised to threaten classroom teachers.
Prof. Junaidu, who is also the Dean, Students Affairs Division, explained that artificial intelligence disrupted virtually everything, saying therefore that the need to organise conferences to brainstorm on how to salvage the situation became necessary.
In a keynote speech, the Director General, National Information and Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, argued that artificial intelligence was not a futuristic abstraction, rather a living force, already reshaping the way “we teach, learn, assess and manage all affairs”.
Represented by his Director, Research and Development Department, Dr. Muhammad Saidu Kumo, the Director General maintained that teachers used artificial intelligence in automated planning, lesson planning and other academic activities.
According to him, tools like Chatgpt could complete assignments instantly, challenging notions of assessment and originality.
Kashifu said that government and relevant authorities needed to equip public schools with devices, internet access and solar power where necessary, in order to meet up with the current trend.
The Director General said that NITDA showed commitment through the establishment of National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) and the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation, which are national hubs for artificial intelligence research, training and innovation.
He thanked the Institute of Education and the University Management for the opportunity given to him.
In a vote of thanks, the Director, Institute of Education, Prof. A.M Jumare, thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for their unwavering support towards the success of the conference.
Prof. Jumare reassured the University Management of their commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge.
The event was attended by Principal Officers, Deans, Directors and Heads Department and Unit.