A former Minister of Power and engineer, Prof. Bart Nnaji, has traced his early interest in artificial intelligence to a fascination with robots nearly four decades ago, describing AI as fundamentally rooted in mathematics.
Nnaji said that his research focused on understanding how robots could perform basic movements and interact with their environment. He explained that early robotics research concentrated on modelling movements mathematically before addressing machine dynamics.
“The point is that AI is a whole lot of mathematics,” he said.
According to him, what many people describe as AI algorithms are essentially logical mathematical systems designed to solve problems. Although machines continue to improve, he believes they still fall short of human reasoning and emotional perception.
“There are so many things about what we do in terms of reasoning and perception, which a machine cannot have now, but will gradually,” he said.
He stated that his plans include establishing an Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics to support technological development in Nigeria.
