Experts Call for Full Adoption of AI and Data Analytics to Drive Business Growth in the Data-Driven Era
In a significant event, industry experts gathered at the 8th edition of the INDACTED tech dialogue to advocate for the full embrace of artificial intelligence (AI) as a critical driver of survival and growth in the data-driven era.
Under the theme Transforming Businesses with Data Analytics and AI: The Role of Industry and Academia, the event showcased thought-provoking discussions and presentations from industry leaders, highlighting the transformative potential of AI and data analytics across various sectors.
During the event, Kwesi Kwofie, CEO of Dataware Tech and Guest Speaker, emphasized the immense value of AI in enabling organizations to conduct detailed analysis, speeding up decision-making processes by reducing the time spent manually sifting through vast amounts of data.
However, Kwofie also acknowledged the challenges that must be addressed to fully harness the capabilities of AI. He stressed the importance of investing in data literacy for human resources to effectively leverage data-driven insights. Furthermore, he urged companies to foster a data-driven culture to unlock the true potential of AI and data.
One of the major challenges discussed during the event was the issue of data accessibility. Many organizations face obstacles in using data to create AI-driven solutions due to data silos within different departments. Kwofie stated, Together with fostering a company culture of being data-driven, we believe that we must begin to build data literacy into every person in the organization to help them appreciate data and insights better.
Ambrose Yennah, Executive Chairman for AIDEC Digital, pointed out that AI and other emerging technologies will create new types of jobs, necessitating the retraining of the workforce in digital skills to stay relevant in the AI era.
The Institute for ICT Professional Ghana (IIPGH), in collaboration with AFOS Foundation and digiCAP, has been at the forefront of promoting dialogue and collaboration between industry and academia. The partnership between IIPGH and AFOS Foundation is supported by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) within the framework of the Special Initiative ‘Decent Work for a Just Transition’ via sequa gGmbH.
David Gowu, Executive Director for IIPGH, highlighted the significance of events like this in fostering innovation, knowledge-sharing, and workforce preparedness for the future. He stated, This platform that we have designed is to bridge the gap between industry and academia, and we have experts to share their knowledge on everything related to AI and Data Analytics. By facilitating these conversations, we aim to inspire businesses and academia to collaborate and embrace these technologies to drive growth and innovation.
The event also featured a panel discussion where Professor Ernest Christian Winful from Accra Technical University (ATU) highlighted the importance of redesigning school curricula to produce graduates equipped with skills demanded by the job market.
Doreen Ansah-Appiah, a Data Analyst with MTN Ghana, emphasized the need for industries to keep pace with emerging trends to contribute to economic growth. Emmanuel Awuni Kolog, a Data Scientist, and Lecturer at the University of Ghana Business School stressed the pivotal role of collaboration between industry and academia in harnessing the full potential of data analytics and AI.
The 8th quarterly tech dialogue provided a platform for participants to share their successful experiences of implementing data analytics and AI solutions in their respective industries. Attendees engaged in lively discussions, exchanged ideas, and gained valuable insights from experts who have effectively integrated these technologies into their business strategies.
The Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana (IIPGH) is a professional association that connects experts from various domains of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) field. Its mission is to positively influence policy, development, standardization, and delivery of ICT in Ghana and beyond.
As experts continue to emphasize the importance of AI and data analytics in driving business growth, it is clear that organizations must fully embrace these technologies to stay competitive in today’s data-driven era. By investing in data literacy, fostering a data-driven culture, and promoting collaboration between industry and academia, businesses can unlock the true potential of AI and leverage data as a strategic asset for innovation and growth.
