Pulse.ng : Kaduna govt. trains public servants on artificial intelligence

By Stella Kabruk

The Kaduna State Head of Service, Jummai Bako, on Wednesday said the state is playing a vital role in creating policies that support public servants in enhancing their capacities to meet up with and adapt to the present reality of ICT.

Bako said during a one-day workshop on "Strategies and the Use of Artificial Intelligence towards Improving Performance/Productivity in the Public Service of Kaduna State."

She said the workshop is designed to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their performance in the service.

"I welcome you to this workshop on 'Strategies and the Use of Artificial Intelligence towards Improving Performance/Productivity in the Public Service of Kaduna State'," she said.

"There is no denying the fact that Artificial Intelligence is important in public service delivery because it enhances efficiency, improves transparency, and increases worker satisfaction by automating tasks, optimizing resource allocation, and providing data-driven insights."

She said AI tools can help the government make better decisions, address long-standing issues like bureaucratic bottlenecks and corruption, and deliver effective and personalized services in areas such as healthcare, education, and security.

"The fact that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the job market, some view this change with excitement, others with apprehension," she said.

"The truth is, Artificial Intelligence (AI) will likely bring both challenges and opportunities to the workplace."

Bako said that while some jobs will be automated, tasks that are repetitive or require processing large amounts of data are prime to be subsumed by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

According to her, this shift will require many workers to adapt and acquire new skills.

"The interesting and exciting aspect of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating new jobs and enhancing existing ones," she said.

"Think about AI specialists, data scientists, and ethicists – roles that didn’t exist a few decades ago."

Moreover, AI is augmenting human capabilities in many fields, from creative industries to scientific research.

She added that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can handle routine tasks, freeing up humans to focus on work that requires creativity, emotional intelligence, and problem-solving skills that AI still struggles with.

"In healthcare, for example, AI might analyze test results, but doctors will still be needed to communicate with patients and make careful decisions about their care," she said. "The key to thriving in this AI-driven future is adaptability."

We need to foster a culture of lifelong learning, where workers continuously update their skills to stay relevant. It’s also essential that we approach AI development with ethics in mind; we need to ensure that AI systems are fair, transparent, and respect human rights.

"This includes addressing potential biases in AI algorithms and protecting workers' privacy," she said.

She added that the future of work with AI isn’t about humans versus machines; it’s about humans and machines working together, each playing to their strengths.

According to her, by embracing this collaborative future, we can create a work environment that’s more productive, innovative, and fulfilling for everyone, leading to increased efficiency and effective service delivery.

"As we move forward, let’s view AI not as a threat, but as a powerful tool that can enhance our capabilities and create new opportunities," she said.

"The future of work is in our hands. By staying curious, adaptable, and focused on our uniquely human skills, we can shape a future where both people and AI thrive."

I am confident that this workshop will be a valuable experience for all of us, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have in the service. (NAN)