A Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mathematics at the University of Cape Coast (UCC), Dr. Stephen Moore, has contributed to the growing debate surrounding Artificial Intelligence’s influence on the job market, indicating the potential for AI to automate tasks that human workers previously performed. He believes that widespread adoption of Artificial Intelligence could lead to both job losses and the creation of new ones. 

According to him, while some experts predict a bleak future with mass unemployment, others remain optimistic about AI’s potential to create new jobs and boost productivity.

Dr. Moore was speaking at a public lecture organised by the School of Business on the theme: "Artificial Intelligence and Business Solutions."

He noted that Artificial Intelligence (AI) was transforming the way organizations operate worldwide.

He mentioned firms such as Juma, Flutterwave, Addbook, Mpharm, among others, were leading the charge in AI adoption.

Giving statistics, he said the Global AI market would be $16.4 trillion by 2033 and called on industries to adapt AI to improve efficiency.

A section of student participants at the lecture

Continuing, he also highlighted how AI could help solve real-time local challenges in agriculture, human resources, security, finance, trade, and governance.

He observed that most AI tools and machine learning models currently in use were developed with a Western focus, which leaves Africa significantly underrepresented in global AI advancements.

He called for fairness, transparency, and regulation as the panacea to the ethical and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in development.

Dr. Moore entreated the School of Business to integrate AI courses into its curriculum so that students could get basic skills in the use of AI.

The Provost of the College of Humanities and Legal Studies, Prof. Kwane Osei Kwarteng, dispelled public fears of job displacement, stressing that AI catalyses job creation and economic growth.

According to him, Artificial Intelligence would replace only those who were not in place.

"By this I mean that the wave of AI will threaten only those who are not weaving AI into whatever they are doing already," he added.

Some dignitaries who participated in the lecture with faculty of the SoB-UCC

The Acting Dean of the School, Prof. Samuel Kwaku Agyei, said the summit represented a critical turning point for Ghana and the continent at large.

According to him, “We are in the fourth industrial revolution, which is the age of cyber-physical systems. AI is advancing towards autonomy, and it will soon surpass human intelligence in all domains, so we should be ready”.

In a brief remark, Emeritus Prof. Awusabo Asare of the Department of Population and Health, said it was time for the youth to challenge themselves and take deliberate actions that would shape their futures positively.

“Every dream is achievable. Giving up should not be an option,” he said.

The Pro Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Denis Aheto, who chaired the event, emphasised the urgent need for industries to reskill and upskill their workforce to take advantage of emerging AI-driven opportunities.

He encouraged young people to take advantage of AI and adopt a mindset focused on growth and discipline to remain relevant in a fast-changing world.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC