Industry watchers are warning that Ghanaian youth could become victims instead of beneficiaries of the Artificial Intelligence Revolution on jobs if AI is not integrated into skills training.
These concerns which have the potential of further ballooning Ghana’s already precarious unemployment rate, occupied young entrepreneurs at a day’s workshop held by the No Business As Usual Youth Empowerment Center on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day.
The NBU Youth Empowerment Center; Spearheaded by the SOS Villages assembled expert facilitators to educate some 60 young entrepreneurs on the different ways AI is rapidly reshaping industries, education and governance.
Alarming Projections and New Opportunities
This year’s theme, “Youth Empowerment through AI and Digital Skills”, comes at a time the World Economic Forum, projects that 83 million jobs may be lost globally by 2027 as a result of the change largely spurred by AI-driven disruption.
While these figures look grim, some 69 million jobs could be created by the demand for AI driven technologies within the same period with productivity gains estimated at some $4.8 trillion by 2033.
Dr Paa Kofi Tinagyei, a Corporate Coach, Counsellor and AI Enthusiast indicated that instead of becoming mere victims of job losses Ghanaian youth can gain from the AI driven economy by proactively acquiring relevant digital competencies.
“You can complain and have your own reservations about AI but it has come to stay. The better you are at it, the easier it is going to be for you. Although AI might not take away jobs, people who know how to use the AI are going to take away the jobs from those who don’t know AI,” He explained.
Industry Reactions
While some youth who spoke to GHOne/Ultimate News dreaded the threats to jobs, some entrepreneurs were positive AI would rather reduce their cost of operations and enhance productivity.
“We have easy to use AI tools to design logos at no cost; there is also AI for creating social media content, generating images of products and scheduling posts to advertise businesses,” Digital Marketer and Co-Founder of Trendora Digital Hub, Audrey Afutu Elorm elucidated.
“As a business owner and a biochemistry student, it can be very hectic especially as I don’t have time and the resources to employ more hands. This training has helped me navigate through AI tools that will make my work easy and help me balance my business with schooling,” a young student entrepreneur and CEO of PAKIT RIGHT, Khadija Umar Faruk told reporter Ivan Heathcote Fumador.
Shakib Suala, founder of Sabr Rah-Shak Enterprise, a leather footwear manufacturing company, was excited about the endless opportunities AI offers to connect with wider audiences, expand market reach, and increase revenue.
Advocacy for AI Skills Training
Programs Director for SOS Kumasi location, Bernard Amoako, advocated for an expansive training of Ghanaian youth, especially those in entrepreneurship, to build the skills needed to thrive in the highly disruptive AI driven economy.
“The world is improving very fast and AI has come to stay with us and it is important we take advantage of it. Why don’t we support our youth to develop these skills to utilize it in their businesses and their daily endeavors? This is why we decided to organize this program,” He pointed out.
World Youth Skills Day, highlights the strategic importance of equipping young people with the skills needed for employment, decent work and entrepreneurship.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
