Students who graduated at the Namibia College of Open Learning (Namcol) in Windhoek yesterday were urged to embrace artificial intelligence (AI).
“In today’s rapidly changing world, navigating new developments requires us to be smart. One such tool that requires you to be smart is AI,” education, arts and culture deputy minister Faustina Caley said during Namcol’s 23rd graduation ceremony.
She asserted that the modern world is consistently evolving and largely driven by AI, which has the potential to solve some of the country’s challenges, such as climate change and disease eradication.
The graduation was celebrated under the theme ‘No One Should Be Left Behind’, in honour of the late president Hage Geingob.
“AI has the potential to be a powerful tool for progress, but only if we ensure everyone has the opportunity to participate and benefit,” she said.
Furthermore, she encouraged graduates not to be left behind in the rapid pace of advancement and to develop the skills to effectively embrace the potential of AI to become a driving force.
Caley noted the need to address concerns around AI being ethically and responsibly utilised, with inclusivity at the core.
“As you embark on your careers, I urge you to embrace the potential of AI and remember that the future is not predetermined.”
She emphasised that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human ingenuity and creativity.
Namcol acting chief executive Jan Nitschke said the institution embarked on offering early childhood programmes to feed into the national goals.
“To make sure that no student who wishes to upgrade his/her qualifications in this field, is left behind.”
He further said Namcol invests in the implementation of technical vocational education and training (TVET) to meet the demands of the modern workforce and promote socio-economic empowerment.
“As we gather here today to celebrate the achievements of our graduates, let us also reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of inclusivity and equity in education.”
Nitschke further highlighted that Namcol believes education is the cornerstone of progress and prosperity that empowers individuals to realise their full potential and contribute to society.
“As we embark on this transformative journey, we will remain steadfast in our commitment to excellence, inclusivity and preparing our graduates for a future driven by AI,” he said.
Additionally, Nitschke said AI has the power to propel future endeavours, from automating mundane tasks to unlocking new avenues for innovation and problem solving.
“The future of work lies in a powerful collaboration between humans and AI, where your unique skills complement the strengths of AI to achieve remarkable outcomes,” he added.
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