On Tuesday, the Federal Government, through the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, in partnership with Google, announced the launch of the AI Fund, a N100m initiative aimed at supporting Nigerian startups that leverage Artificial Intelligence to develop innovative solutions.
This initiative is part of the Ministry of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy’s strategic programs to harness AI’s potential to drive development, innovation, and well-being in Nigeria.
The search engine giant said in a statement to The PUNCH that the AI Fund will provide necessary resources for Nigerian startups to innovate and scale their AI solutions.
The launch follows the Artificial Intelligence Strategy Workshop in April and the release of the National AI Intelligence Strategy in August, which outlined Nigeria’s roadmap for integrating AI into various sectors to enhance growth and societal well-being.
The AI Fund, according to the partners, is a significant step in actualizing these plans, and it is expected to have a positive impact on Nigeria’s startup ecosystem, driving innovation and entrepreneurship in the AI sector.