Kaduna launches initiative to make AI accessible to Hausa speakers

The Kaduna state government says it has launched the AI4ALL initiative to make artificial intelligence accessible to Hausa speakers in Nigeria.

Uba Sani, governor of the state, spoke on Thursday at the stakeholders engagement on the draft National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, organised by the federal ministry of communications, innovation and digital economy.

Sani, who was represented by Patience Fakai, commissioner for business, innovation and technology, said the initiative is the first of its kind in Africa.

He added that it will include short lessons on AI in Hausa, downloadable from the NITDA site.

The governor noted that his administration, in collaboration with Data Science Nigeria (DSN) and google.org, has trained over 5,000 women in the ‘Arewa ladies for tech’ programme.

He said the state government has also partnered with Greysoft Technologies in the AgricTech Hackathon to allow young innovators to produce tech products for agriculture.

Sani reiterated the state government’s resolve to turn Kaduna into a hub of information technology and communication (ICT).

“The Kaduna State government has launched the AI4All, an initiative meant to bring AI to Hausa speakers across Nigeria and beyond, through a series of short lessons on AI in Hausa language which are downloadable from the NITDA site and shareable with others by phone,” the statement reads.

“The bill aims to create a comprehensive framework for the development and regulation of our digital economy, ensuring that we remain competitive in the global digital landscape.”