- 02 Jun, 2025
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- 4 Mins Read
Why Is AI Changing ‘Everything’ | Am I Already a Part of It?
To start with, what exactly is AI? Two words only but sounds complicated. Well, it’s not. Artificial Intelligence, popularly known as AI, just like the name implies ‘artificial’ which means something made by humans to mimic or do exactly as the natural form would do. For example, when photographers take pictures, lighting is very important for them, right? Now they sometimes use natural lighting, which is the sun and whatever nature gives them but in the absence of this or in need for more, they go for artificial lights that mimic or do exactly what the sun would normally do – give lighting to enhance the image’s appearance.
AI is teaching the computer to do what the human brain would do. It’s simply cloning the human brain for a computer, teaching a robot or computer to be smart just like a person. Imagine if your toy robot could learn how to play your favourite game with you or help you clean your room; That’s what AI does – it helps machines learn new things and make decisions just like how we learn at school.
Let’s explore some very relatable examples:
Siri and Alexa
They’re like helpful robots that listen to you when you ask them questions or tell them to play music – does “Alexa, play me Laho by Shallipopi sound familiar”? That is exactly what AI is. They learn from everything you ask them, so they get better over time.
Self-Driving Cars
These cars have a brain inside them made of AI, which helps them see the road, make decisions such as stopping at lights and know where to go without anyone driving them, based on what you already taught them (GPS) or routes you frequent.
Games
If you play a game on your phone or computer, sometimes the characters in the game are controlled by AI. They “learn” how to play the game better just like how you get better at playing as you practice!
AI in Nigeria: How It’s Already Changing Our Lives
AI may sound like a futuristic concept, but it’s already making a difference in our everyday lives. From the way we bank to how we shop to even entertainment; AI is at the heart of many things we do daily.
Here are just a few examples:
- Banking: Through AI we are able to do a lot of transactions without going into the bank, resolve complaints, make transactions and even get real-time conversations with AI-enhanced customer service representatives. Examples are Leo from UBA, Zenith Bank’s Ziva, etc.
- E-Commerce: AI-driven recommendations and chatbots make online shopping easier and more personalised. Through thorough analysis of your previous searches, AI makes recommendations to you based on your interest. Some platforms that do this quite well are Jumia, Instagram, Pinterest and Amazon.
- Healthcare: AI helps doctors make quicker, more accurate diagnoses. For example, chatting with Colgate’s chatbot, it makes recommendations on products for combatting specific dental issues.
- Entertainment: Platforms like Netflix and Spotify use AI to recommend movies and music respectively. based on your preferences and previous selections.
The most exciting part is that this is just the beginning!
Apply AI to Your Industry
No matter your career, AI is already making a difference. Whether you’re in marketing, agriculture or healthcare, AI can help improve processes and outcomes. For instance, AI is being used in agriculture to optimise farming techniques and in marketing to personalise customer interactions.
The future Is bright and you should get involved now. If there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that the future belongs to those who can adapt and learn. AI is not a threat; it’s an opportunity. The more you learn about it, the more you’ll realise that AI isn’t something happening to the world. Rather, it’s something that you can actively shape.
How to Get Started
AI is not only for tech experts. Anyone can learn and contribute and there are plenty of opportunities for you to get involved.
Start with learning the basics. Understand the core concepts behind AI and Machine Learning. You don’t need to become an expert right away, but learning the basics will set you up for success.
- AI Fundamentals: What AI is and how it’s used.
- Introduction to Coding: Python is beginner-friendly and widely used in AI.
- Machine Learning Basics: Learn how machines make decisions based on data.
Look in Data: AI relies heavily on data. By learning Data Science, you can gain skills that are extremely valuable in almost any industry.
- Data Science Basics: Understand how data is used to make decisions.
- Analytics for Business: Learn how AI tools can help businesses make better decisions.
In Nigeria, the tech scene is booming with more Nigerians than ever entering the field and building tech companies. Whether you’re aiming to launch a tech startup, work in a corporate environment or simply improve your skills, there has never been a better time to learn.
Start your AI journey today! There are many online resources and courses you make use of – many of which are affordable or even free. You don’t need a degree in Computer Science to get started – just the willingness to learn and a desire to be part of the next generation of Nigerian tech leaders.
See in the next blog!