By Sodeinde Temidayo David
Leading Artificial Intelligence (AI) hub, Data Science Nigeria (DSN), has announced the launch of the country’s first AI Startup Incubation and Research Centre.
The launch also included a bespoke AI Startup Summit which was themed Building Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence Unicorns, under the topic titled How to build scalable startups leveraging AI and exponential technologies.
With the launch of the new AI startup incubation hub, the organization is set to promote its vision to build a world-class AI, knowledge research and innovation ecosystem that would deliver high-impact transformational research.
Speaking at the event, the founder and lead mentor of Data Science, Mr Olubayo Adekanmbi, expressed that the dominant fact remains that artificial intelligence is a big game-changer, and is going to change how unicorns of the future will emerge.
This follows research by PwC, a global consulting firm, which noted that AI can contribute as much as $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.
According to Mr Adekanmbi, AI has the potential to boost the global GDP by 16 per cent. With this, he noted the need to support the local AI start-ups to become world-class unicorns of tomorrow.
The lunch featured other startups like Data Vault, Vooli, Farm Speak, Snark Health, Kitovu, Stedigital, Adeseko Technology Limited, Tech Semester, Archer, Freestyle Journal, Tech Oga, and CrossVu Digital.
As part of the value proposition to the successful startups that were embraced into the incubation programme, startups will be taken through an immersive and enriching experience that involves entrepreneurship training, technical support, access to markets, free workstation, networking, mentorship, and access to financial opportunities.
Present at the unveiling were key stakeholders in the technology space, including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Future Africa, Mr Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, who commended the organization for the initiative, noting that it’s one of the organizations that are building the future in a very practical sense.
On her part, the head, Lagos Innovates (Startups), Ms Ireayo Oladunjoye, also commended DSN on behalf of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) and Lagos Innovates.
In her words, “we are glad to continue to support and collaborate with DSN and the AI Startup Lab in supporting the Technology ecosystem.”
Data Science Nigeria has trained, mentored and inspired 100,000 Nigerian undergraduates and graduates to build new skills in advanced analytics, data science and create one million jobs and opportunities in data science, including advanced analytics.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Adedapo Adesanya