Aiyedatiwa urges youths to embrace AI, digital economy - Punch Newspapers

Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has urged young people to embrace artificial intelligence, innovation and other technology-driven opportunities to participate actively in the emerging digital economy. Aiyedatiwa, represented by Omotuke Oluwadaisi, made the call on Saturday while speaking at the third edition of a digital summit in Ondo State, where he stressed the need for collaboration among the government, private sector, academia and young people to maximise the opportunities presented by technology. He said, “Government cannot build its future in AI alone. We need the private sector, academia, investors, technology companies, the media, development partners and, most importantly, our young people. ‎ ‎“Let us move beyond discussing what technology can do and focus on what we can achieve using technology. “Let us develop solutions to our local challenges, support innovation and entrepreneurship, responsibly embrace artificial intelligence and build partnerships that turn ideas into sustainable enterprises.” The Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media and Digital Summit Coordinator, Olubunmi Ololajulo, said the summit was designed to equip youths with practical digital skills and expose them to opportunities in the rapidly evolving technology sector.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Ololajulo said the summit, now in its third edition, had continued to educate young people on the benefits of digital media and emerging technologies. We feared social media would take our jobs — Jide Kosoko Mastercard champions a more connected digital future for Africa at GITEX Nigeria 2026 OpenAI says AI agents mistakenly posted ChatGPT users’ images online “The reason behind this initiative is to reach out to the youths of Ondo State in large number. Over the years, we have been educating them about digital media and how they can utilise its power to improve their lives and create opportunities for themselves,” he said. ‎He added that the programme went beyond lectures, as participants were also supported with digital tools to enhance their learning and productivity. “So far, we have been able to empower some youths with laptops and other digital devices. We have also provided tutorials, presentations and specific lectures on how they can utilise the power of digital media to earn a living and make money for themselves,” Ololajulo said.‎ He urged young people to remain open to learning and innovation, noting that digital media and artificial intelligence offered opportunities for personal and professional growth.‎ The keynote speaker and Director-General of the Ondo State Media Group, Kenneth Odusola, described artificial intelligence as an unavoidable reality, urging youths to take advantage of opportunities emerging from the technology sector.‎ ‎“The world is not waiting for anyone anymore. You have to go out there and take it. The youth must embrace artificial intelligence. Tech is the new economy and we must all embrace it,” Odusola stated. Peter Dada

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