Tech
AI pioneer resigns from Google, joins critics of chatbots
![](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Dr-Hinton.jpg)
After more than ten years of service with the internet giant, Geoffrey Hinton, the pioneer of artificial intelligence, has resigned from Google.
Hinton, according to the New York Times, has joined a rising army of detractors who claim that businesses are rushing toward danger with their aggressive push to develop goods based on generative artificial intelligence, the technology that underpins well-known chatbots like ChatGPT.
Hinton, who is considered the AI godfather, said he quit his position at Google “so he can freely speak out about the risks of A.I.” adding that a part of him, now regrets his life’s work.
According to him, as companies improve their A.I. systems, they also become increasingly dangerous. “Look at how it was five years ago and how it is now,” he said of A.I. technology. “Take the difference and propagate it forward. That’s scary.”
According to reports, industry insiders are afraid that AI is releasing something dangerous, noting that generative AI can be a tool for misinformation. Concerns have grown that it could be a risk to getting jobs and according to tech experts, the biggest worry is that it could be a risk to humanity.
“It is hard to see how you can prevent the bad actors from using it for bad things,” Dr Hinton said.
According to the 75-year-old British, “Until last year, Google acted as a proper steward for the technology, careful not to release something that might cause harm. But now that Microsoft has augmented its Bing search engine with a chatbot — challenging Google’s core business — Google is racing to deploy the same kind of technology. The tech giants are locked in a competition that might be impossible to stop.”
He stated that his immediate concern is that the internet will be flooded with false photos, videos and text, and the average person will not be able to know what is true anymore.
He also worries that AI will upset the job market as already, chatbots like ChatGPT are now used to complement human workers, “but they could replace paralegals, personal assistants, translators and others who handle rote tasks. ‘It takes away the drudge work, it might take away more than that,” he said.
Headlines
NITDA plans to reposition Nigeria’s technology ecosystem – DG
![Promoting a Greener Nigeria: NITDA’s Commitment to Renewable Technology](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/New-NITDA-Logo.webp)
The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) says it plans to reposition Nigeria’s technology ecosystem to emerge as a global digital talent powerhouse.
The Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi CCIE, said this on Wednesday at a media parley with the theme “Exceptional Media Relations, Strengthening Bonds Beyond Headlines” in Abuja.
The media parley aimed to discuss NITDA’s Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan (2024-2027).
Inuwa said the roadmap was designed in line with President Bola Tinubu’s eight priority areas targeted at diversifying the nation’s economy.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy also rolled out five strategic objectives to achieve development in the IT sector.
The NITDA boss said the agency crafted the eight pillars of the Strategic Roadmap and Action Plan as a comprehensive document that reflected its commitment to uplifting Nigeria to a premier status in the global digital economy.
He said this would be done by harnessing the potential of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Inuwa said the agency had also developed the National Digital Literacy Framework in line with the first pillar, which was aimed at fostering digital literacy and cultivating talents.
According to him, the framework has an ambitious target of achieving 95 per cent digital literacy by 2030, and that can make us surpass India in technology, among other initiatives.
“We are working with the Ministry of Education to review the curriculum across the formal education, from nursery to university so that we can infuse digital literacy in our formal education.
“By doing that, we can empower Nigerians to have digital skills before graduating.
“We are also conceptualising other initiatives which include the Digital Literacy for All Initiative which will be unveiled soon,” the Director-General said.
He added that the initiative would ensure Nigerians were educated on IT outside the formal education and have access to quality digital content.
The Director-General said that apart from digital literacy, the agency was working to ensure digital sovereignty and develop all digital innovation in the country.
He recalled that India started brain export about 20 years ago, adding that “presently, almost 25 per cent of sea level executives in big technology companies are Indians and they have dominated the global technology ecosystem.
“Nigeria can do the same because we have an even more competitive advantage than India. We have the population, better accent, better time zone and if we position ourselves, we can beat India in technology.”
The NITDA boss added that the agency had a mid-term target of achieving 70 per cent digital literacy by 2027.
He said that the strategic plan intended to position Nigeria as a digitally inclined nation in line with the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of the present administration.
ICT
Tijani Reveals $2bn Investment Needed to Expand Fibre Optics Across Nigeria
![Tijani Reveals $2bn Investment Needed to Expand Fibre Optics Across Nigeria](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Bosun-Tijani-the-Minister-of-Communications-Innovations-and-Digital-Economy.jpg)
Tijani Reveals $2bn Investment Needed to Expand Fibre Optics Across Nigeria
In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today program, the Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, disclosed that the comprehensive installation of fibre optics cables across Nigeria would require an estimated $2 billion investment.
During the interview, Minister Tijani also addressed the state of advanced technology in Nigeria, confirming the presence of the Fifth-Generation (5G) network. However, he emphasized that the infrastructure supporting this technology is not universally accessible within the country.
“We do have 5G in some places,” Minister Tijani affirmed. “The infrastructure that drives 5G is not something that is across the nation. So, if you subscribe to 5G and move into locations where the infrastructure cannot support it, the quality will drop. 5G exists in Nigeria, and there are telcos with the license.”
Highlighting the government’s efforts to enhance connectivity, Minister Tijani outlined plans to increase the length of fibre optics cables in Nigeria from the current 35 to 40 kilometres to an ambitious target of 95,000 kilometres. He estimated the cost of this extensive wiring project at approximately $1.5 billion to $2 billion.
With a vision for transformative progress under his leadership, Minister Tijani expressed optimism about achieving the goal of wiring Nigeria within the first four years of the President Bola Tinubu administration. He emphasized the government’s focus on connecting essential institutions, including schools, hospitals, and government offices, to the fibre optic network.
Minister Tijani also discussed ongoing initiatives to declare telecoms infrastructure as critical national assets, aiming to safeguard against vandalism and ensure the sustained development of Nigeria’s digital connectivity landscape.
Tijani Reveals $2bn Investment Needed to Expand Fibre Optics Across Nigeria
Headlines
Microsoft to hire OpenAI’s Sam Altman
![](https://accessnews.ng/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Sam-Altman.jpg)
Microsoft to hire OpenAI’s Sam Altman
Microsoft’s Chief Executive Officer, Satya Nadella, on Monday, announced the hiring of OpenAI’s Sam Altman and other members of his team, days after the co-founder of the venture behind ChatGPT was fired.
“The mission continues,” Altman, who rose to fame with the launch of the artificial intelligence chatbot last year, posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Nadella wrote on X that Altman “will be joining Microsoft to lead a new advanced AI research team,” along with OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman and their colleagues.
OpenAI’s board sacked Altman on Friday, prompting other high-profile departures from the company as well as a reported push by major investors to bring him back.
-
Business2 years ago
Facebook, Instagram Temporarily Allow Posts on Ukraine War Calling for Violence Against Invading Russians or Putin’s Death
-
Headlines2 years ago
Nigeria, Other West African Countries Facing Worst Food Crisis in 10 Years, Aid Groups Say
-
Foreign2 years ago
New York Consulate installs machines for 10-year passport
-
world4 months ago
Iran, China agree on closer military cooperation
-
ICT11 months ago
Truecaller appoints Onwuzurike as Country Manager in Nigeria
-
Business5 months ago
We generated N30.2 bn revenue in three months – Kano NCS Comptroller
-
Headlines2 months ago
Google announces additional 110 languages translate
-
ICT9 months ago
Tijani Reveals $2bn Investment Needed to Expand Fibre Optics Across Nigeria