MTN Ghana's Chief Technology Innovation Officers (CTIO) Roundtable brought together business and technology leaders to share knowledge, ideas, and best practices on leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive business growth and innovation. Speaking at the event, Mr. Bernard Acquah, Chief Information Officer at MTN Ghana, emphasized the importance of incorporating AI into business models, highlighting its potential to drive growth and efficiency. Mr. Acquah noted that AI was often misunderstood, with many believing it would replace human jobs.
However, he stressed that AI was a tool designed to augment human capabilities, not replace them. "AI will never replace people," he said. To harness the benefits of AI, Mr. Acquah recommended that companies focus on developing skills in data analytics and machine learning. He also addressed concerns about oversaturation in the field of data analytics, noting that there were ample opportunities for young professionals in this field, driven by the growing need for data scientists and analysts in various industries.
Ms. Angela Mensah-Poku, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at MTN Ghana, highlighted the significance of the Chief Technology Innovation Officers Roundtable for Africa and Ghana, emphasizing the opportunities that arise from embracing AI and digital innovation. She discussed MTN Ghana's efforts to engage the young generation, particularly in Virtual Reality (VR) and digital literacy, through the MTN Foundation and sustainability team.
The company had been running digital literacy programs for years, providing access to online courses and training in areas like AI, data analytics, and digital marketing. To businesses considering adapting to AI technology, Mensah-Poku advised, "Don't be afraid." She emphasized that AI was already integrated into everyday life, including social media, and that embracing technology could unlock new opportunities for growth and innovation.
The conference's plenary discussion on "Future Proofing the Enterprise: Emerging Tech and Business Agility" featured a panel of experts, including Mr. Abel Lomotey Dailey, Chief Information Officer at GCB Bank PLC; Mr. Darlington Akogo, Founder and CEO of minoHealth AI Labs; Mr. Abdoulaye Diack, Program Manager for Google AI Africa; Dr. Nefertiti A. Puplampu, Founder of the Institute for Advanced Teaching and Learning; and Dr. Stephane Nwolley, CEO of Npontu Technologies. The panelists shared insights on how businesses could harness the power of AI to drive growth and innovation.