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The founder and chief executive officer of the Centre for Enterprise Governance, Dr. Adeyinka Hassan, has cautioned that Nigeria and Africa could fall behind if leaders do not adopt technology, especially artificial intelligence, as a key factor in business and governance.

At the 3rd Biennial Corporate Governance and Enterprise Development Conference, which took place recently in Lagos, Hassan stated that global circumstances are being transformed by artificial intelligence, protectionist economic policies, and evolving governance systems, emphasizing that Africa needs to go beyond talk and take concrete steps.

“Leadership today isn’t about positions. It’s about flexible intelligence, the bravery to adopt technology while maintaining our human values, the insight to promote innovation even during times of protectionism, and the honesty to support governance that is open, accessible, and courageous,” Hassan said to the attendees.

The event, organized by the Centre for Enterprise Governance, featured the Secretary of Ogun State Government, Mr. Olatokunbo Talabi, as Guest of Honour; the Director-General of NITDA, Mr. Kashifu Abdullahi Inuwa, as Keynote Speaker; and several governance specialists such as Professor Bolanle Oladejo and Mrs. Olayemi Keri.

Emphasizing data that illustrated the rapid pace of global AI implementation, Hassan stated that 78 percent of companies around the world have already integrated AI into their processes, with almost half utilizing it to leverage big data. He noted that within the telecommunications industry, 52 percent of companies use AI-driven chatbots to enhance efficiency.

“The global artificial intelligence market is currently worth more than $391 billion, and by next year, AI is expected to add $3.78 trillion in value to businesses around the world,” he stated.

But he warned that although the world was advancing at a “blazing pace,” Africa was still struggling to catch up. “If we hesitate, the digital gap won’t merely grow larger, it will become an economic chasm,” he warned.

Calling the conference “a call to leadership and a call to action,” Hassan encouraged decision-makers, business leaders, and governance bodies to make conscious decisions that will decide whether Africa remains “a passive observer in the AI-powered global economy or a builder of its own success.”

“Now is the time. Here is the place. This is our task,” he stated.

Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).