Nigerian space and AI expert Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, Director of the Department of Artificial Intelligence and Space Robotics at NASRDA, recently attended The Next Big Thing Continental (TNBTC) event, where he explored the future of AI in security, agriculture, and beyond. Following the event, he speaks with Joyce Adamson from Ace Golden Moments (AGM) about the role of AI in national development, the importance of collaboration, and how Nigeria can harness new technologies to stay ahead in the global AI revolution.

Q1: Good afternoon, sir. My name is Joyce Adamson and I work with Ace Golden Moments (AGM), the media department at Digital Oxygen Hub. We believe that significant events are relevant for people to see and through our digital blog spaces we make that possible. Please sir, can you introduce yourself and the organization you work with?

Respondent: I am Dr Sanusi Mohammed. I'm here in the National Space Research and Development Agency as a director of the Department for artificial intelligence and space robotics. NASRDA is the primary agency responsible for space research and satellite technology in Nigeria. Satellite technology encompasses various applications, including communication, automation, AI and expert systems, GPS, altitude determination, and control systems. At NASRDA, we develop multiple types of satellites, such as remote sensing satellites, which capture images of the Earth and support applications in security, agriculture, and communication. This is one of my agency’s mandates: to design and build communication satellites, even though the marketing arm is not with the agency, the technological aspect of it is the whole agency. This is what the agency is working on and one of it is, AI robotics.

Q2: That’s really impressive! I want to believe the theme for the event was actually, in line with what your department is into. From the event, what can you say? Is there a way you see any form of collaboration with The Next Big Thing Continental (TNBTC) and your department sir?

Respondent: Yes, the event was excellent and met my expectations. Attending such events allows us to engage with experts who challenge and inspire us to advance our research. Collaboration is essential, and we are always open to working with organizations that share our vision. One of our mandates here is collaboration. There is no company, I think, in the world that works without collaboration. You progress with collaboration. Definitely, with the amount of expert you people can gather, it means you have the capacity, and qualification that encourages us to collaborate with you on any project, like this AI orchestration.

Q3: Still on the event, I would like to ask which section of the events actually stood out for you. A section that is relatable to your department and to what you do.

Respondent: Oh, actually, they are all related because they are educative. The AI orchestration lectures, showed me how to succeed on an AI project. Another important thing is the issue of project evaluation. How do you evaluate projects? How do you test the Idea and its validation? The speakers say they are very important to me. They have deeply encouraged me. And you know, a lot of materials were presented, especially by the professor, the VC, Prof. Karl Adams. So, he has mentioned a lot of resources, which he said to be available within the University. I was motivated and happy about it, the challenging workshops, lectures, panel discussions and presentations, all were very good.

Q4. You once mentioned that in your department there are satellites that deal with security, and with agriculture. And I remember those topics were also touched at the event when they talked about what they've been able to do with agriculture, using AI. And also, the demonstration by one of our representatives that talked about the security predictive AI, where you predict a crime before it actually happens helping to reduce crime. Back to TNBTC event how relevant do you think the event is to Nigeria and Africa at large?

Respondent. AI plays a crucial role in automating tasks and achieving large-scale advancements. While AI has existed since the early days of programming, its applications continue to expand. Professor Adams' presentation provided historical insights, tracing AI’s development back to the invention of computer programming. Looking ahead, we need to anticipate potential outcomes, including disasters, and AI can help predict these events. For instance, satellite images enable predictive analysis. Similarly, in agriculture, AI facilitates crop yield predictions, infestation detection, soil type differentiation, and soil compatibility analysis. AI's relevance extends to controlling and predicting outcomes, allowing for proactive measures instead of reactive destruction. Its applications are vast and varied. I had the privilege of attending a conference on AI in agriculture at the Federal University of Mina, where I delivered a keynote speech. The event showcased AI's potential in transforming various sectors. With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), AI's significance continues to grow, demonstrating its numerous applications across industries.

Q5. Still on the TNBTC event, what aspect do you think could be improved? What aspect do you think our next event should focus or improve on?

Respondent. This event was a significant achievement, especially in AI Orchestration. Moving forward, it would be beneficial to focus on specific areas such as security. For example, discussing AI applications in security with military and defense experts could lead to innovative developments. This could lead to innovative discussions and potential inventions. Similarly, in agriculture, AI can be applied in various ways. With the presence of the blue economy ministry, agricultural ministry, private farmers, and companies like Dangote, there's immense interest in understanding how AI can be utilized in agriculture. During our conference in Mina last December, the governor's attendance highlighted the potential for collaboration. I suggested allocating 100 hectares for practicing AI applications in agriculture. Focusing on specific areas like security, industrial control, or agriculture can help drive meaningful discussions and advancements. By concentrating on one or two key areas, you can make a significant impact.

 Q6. And we should also make sure it's more practical?

Respondent. I think the practical sessions should be longer. When working on projects, multiple teams are involved, such as engineers and laborers. While engineers design and plan, the actual implementation – the practical work – is equally important. For researchers, hands-on experience is crucial for evaluation. For example, offering a Python programming workshop would be beneficial, as Python is a key language for AI implementation. Incorporating practical sessions, like the ChatGPT exercise, would be engaging and appreciated, as people tend to value hands-on learning.

Q7. Before the last question, I remember earlier you mentioned that you collaborate with organizations, So I want to ask, is there a way for TNBTC to collaborate with NASRDA in order to project our AI capabilities?

Respondent. Yes, the collaboration you initiated is a good start. Our DG received the conference invitation and assigned me to handle the details. Given your connections with external experts and stakeholders, collaboration seems feasible and straightforward. We have excellent facilities, including a multipurpose hall, suitable for conferences on specific topics like security. We're open to discussing potential collaborations at your convenience.

Q8. Appreciate that, sir. Lastly, we want to, first of all thank you for your time, and then ask if you have any last message for the organizers of TNBTC and our future participants.

Respondent. I'd like to express my appreciation to the organizers for their efforts in putting together this event. I understand the challenges involved and encourage them to continue their good work. Collaboration is key to progress, as no one can achieve greatness alone. Even in industries like car manufacturing, collaboration is essential for success. We welcome future collaborations and are open to discussing opportunities that drive innovation in AI and space technology.