A technology firm, TechRise DTI, has urged Nigerian youths to acquire artificial intelligence and digital skills to improve their chances of securing jobs and creating businesses.

The call was made during a webinar on Friday with the theme, “The AI Advantage: Who Will Benefit More from AI Usage?”

In his welcome address, the Director of TechRise, Emmanuel Brendan, said the training was designed to move participants from basic AI awareness to practical applications through training and technical support.

He said artificial intelligence was increasingly influencing technology development, business productivity and the creation of digital products.

“Our goal is to invest in people. When you empower one with relevant skills, you create a ripple effect that benefits families, communities, and the nation at large,” Brendan said.

He identified youth unemployment as a major challenge in Africa, noting that many young graduates lacked the practical skills required in today’s digital workplaces.

“Youth unemployment remains a major challenge with many young graduates lacking practical skills demanded by today’s digital workplaces.

“Our vision is for Africa where every young person, regardless of location or circumstance, has the digital skills, tools, and opportunities to shape their own future and lead the continent’s transformation,” Brendan said.

Delivering the keynote lecture, an ICT expert and Chief Executive Officer of Technoville Nigeria, Richard Pepple, said AI would not benefit everyone equally, noting that its speed of deployment distinguished it from previous technological revolutions.

“AI Advantage is the ability to use AI to create significantly better outcomes than you would achieve without it. The real beneficiaries will be those who combine human skills, domain knowledge and judgment to drive efficiency and effectiveness,” he said.

Pepple identified speed, capability, scale, personalisation and leverage as five areas where AI could provide an advantage.

He said greater attention should be paid to who benefits from AI rather than only what the technology could do.

Pepple identified lawyers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs and business owners among those likely to benefit significantly from AI, adding that the technology could narrow the gap between ideas and execution and increase productivity.

He listed people who refuse to adapt, those who use AI without understanding their work, people who blindly trust AI and those without access to AI tools among those who could benefit less from the technology.

Citing global data, Pepple said AI could create about 117 million jobs but displace about 92 million jobs by 2030.

He said Africa could be significantly affected by the changes because of limited access to AI tools, low digital literacy, data costs and poor telecommunication networks.

The Executive Director of TechRise DTI, Nseabasi Udondian, said the webinar was aimed at helping young Africans prepare for changes in the workplace brought about by AI.

“We are truly grateful and excited about the successful hosting of TechRise Webinar 6.0. Seeing young people, professionals, and leaders come together to discuss ‘The AI Advantage’ was inspiring. The turnout, engagement, and quality of questions showed that Africans are ready to learn and lead in AI,” she said.

Udondian said the organisation had trained more than 1,000 youths in AI, data, product design and cybersecurity.

She urged participants to use AI skills to develop businesses and create employment opportunities.

“AI is not here to replace you, it is here to multiply you. Learn AI early. Use it to solve real problems in health, agriculture, education and creative work.

“We have trained over 1,000 youths across Nigeria and Africa in AI, Data, Product Design and Cybersecurity. Don’t just consume AI tools, build with them, and use them to create jobs and businesses for Africa,” Udondian said.