The Vice-Chancellor and CEO of Wigwe University, Isiokpo, Rivers State, Nigeria, Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi, has emphasized the need to balance artificial intelligence (AI) advancement with human creativity in what he describes as “the age of intelligent machines.”
Delivering a thought-provoking keynote address during a panel session at AAROHAN 3.0 – Global Innovation and Technology Summit, — one of the summit’s highlights—the renowned academic leader and technology expert underscored the critical role of human judgment, ethics, and creative problem-solving in an era dominated by machine learning.
Addressing an audience of educators, industry leaders, and students, Professor Al-Akaidi drew from his extensive experience in academia and technology to present a compelling vision. “While AI systems can process information at unprecedented scales, human judgment, ethics, and creative problem-solving remain irreplaceable,” he asserted. He illustrated this point with examples from Wigwe University’s innovative curriculum, which integrates technology with liberal arts education.
His speech particularly focused on the ethical dimensions of AI implementation in African and global contexts, sharing insights from Wigwe University’s approach to technology education, which prioritizes responsible innovation.
Professor Al-Akaidi commended AAROHAN 3.0 for fostering global dialogue on education transformation. “Summits like this are crucial for sharing knowledge across continents,” he noted, highlighting potential collaborations between Indian and African institutions.
Concluding with an optimistic vision that aligned with Dr. Indu Shahani’s opening challenge to participants, he remarked, “When we combine Africa’s youthful energy, India’s tech prowess, and global expertise, we can create an educational revolution that serves humanity first.”
Earlier, in her opening remarks at the third edition of AAROHAN, ATLAS SkillTech University’s flagship Global Innovation and Technology Summit, Dr. Indu Shahani, Founding President and Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University, stated that the future belongs to institutions that successfully merge technological prowess with human-centered design—a sentiment powerfully echoed in Professor Al-Akaidi’s presentation.
“In this era of rapid technological transformation, AAROHAN 3.0 serves as a crucial platform to bridge the gap between academia and industry,” she stated, setting the tone for the day’s discussions. “We are proud to host global thought leaders like Professor Marwan Al-Akaidi, who are shaping the future of education and innovation.”
Organized by ATLAS SkillTech University, AAROHAN 3.0 is a premier global summit convening thought leaders to explore the future of technology and education. This year’s edition focused on sustainable innovation and workforce transformation.
Wigwe University, a newly established institution in Nigeria, aims to become a world-class hub for leadership, technology, and innovation, with Professor Al-Akaidi leading late Dr Herbert Wigwe’s, visionary academic direction.