The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Lagos Branch, has urged young engineers to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a critical skillset, saying despite concerns about AI replacing human labour, “no one can stop a moving train.”
Chairman of NSE, Lagos Branch, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, gave the advice at the graduateship induction ceremony organised for the young engineers by the branch, in conjunction with the Faculty of Engineering, University of Lagos, on Monday – yesterday, January 13.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that speaking at the event, which was held under the theme: “AI Revolution in Engineering Entrepreneurship and Nation Building”, Kesha acknowledged the potential risks associated with the advancement of AI, particularly the concern that AI could displace human workers in various fields, insisting, however, that embracing AI has become inevitable.
“You can’t stop the moving train,” Engr. Kesha said. “It is either you jump on or you are left behind. We are advising you to jump onto the moving train.”
Mr Dideolu Falobi, Managing Director, Krestal Laurel, corroborated Kesha’s point, urging engineers to equip themselves for the challenges of and opportunities in the technological landscape.
According to him, once engineers understand AI principles and the practical applications, they can use it to do whatever they want and excel.
He said: “The contemporary issue which will determine our very close future is AI, the AI revolution; that is, equipping machines to be able to function as human beings.
“It is being deployed in all industries.
“For any young engineer, the education of today is incomplete if you are not conversant with the basics of AI and how to deploy them in whatever you want to do.”
Mrs Margaret Oguntala, the President of NSE, expressed desire to see all the inductees to become full corporate members of the NSE in the next four years.
She was represented by Mr Ayo Ogunaike, a former Chairman, Lagos Branch of NSE.
She highlighted the numerous benefits of membership of the NSE.
Oguntala informed the inductees that the NSE had a strong presence, with five branches in Lagos and a total of 86 branches worldwide.
She announced that the annual general meeting of the NSE would be held in Ibadan.
504 graduates from different fields of engineering were inducted into NSE at the occasion.
Earlier, the inductees held a procession from UNILAG Faculty of Engineering to the Oyebolu Engineering Resource Centre at the Works and Physical Planning Department, where they took their induction oath.
The inductees, led by Engr. Kesha, proceeding to the Oyebolu Engineering Resource Centre at the Works and Physical Planning Department, University of Lagos, for their induction oath.
