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AI and marketing have merged in MTN telecommunications’ marketing division!

A renowned consultancy focused on technology, Sthenos Centerra, recognized the need to include public interest concepts in its strategy for client, MTN. Sthenos partnered with Techcess Granted to develop a public-friendly approach to AI implementation in marketing.

This collaboration aimed to tackle the formidable barriers faced by Nigerian businesses aspiring to enter the AI marketing space while keeping the implications for society at the top of their minds. This partnership is a testament to innovation, cultural understanding, and strategic foresight.

The Challenge

Nigerian businesses face several barriers when attempting to enter the AI marketing domain:

1. Lack of Infrastructure: Limited access to advanced technological infrastructure is a significant hurdle. As per the World Bank’s collection of development indicators, Nigeria still grapples with fundamental infrastructural challenges, impacting digital growth (World Bank, 2022).
2. Skill Gap: The workforce has a notable gap in AI-specific skills. The UNESCO Science Report (2021) highlights the skill gap in sub-Saharan Africa, emphasizing the need for educational reforms to meet technological advancements.
3. Funding Constraints: Access to funding is another critical barrier. The African Development Bank Group (2020) discusses the financial challenges startups face in Africa, particularly in tech-driven sectors.
4. Regulatory Environment: The complexities of the Nigerian regulatory framework can be daunting for businesses trying to adopt new technologies like AI. The Brookings Institution (2019) provides insights into the regulatory challenges in African markets.

The Strategy

The partnership between Techcess Granted and Sthenos is structured around a multi-faceted approach:

1. Building Infrastructure: They aim to develop a robust technological ecosystem, facilitating access to AI tools and platforms for Nigerian businesses.
2. Skill Development Programs: Initiating training programs and workshops to bridge the AI skill gap, focusing on practical, industry-relevant skills.
3. Facilitating Funding: Working with local and international investors to create funding opportunities for AI ventures.
4. Navigating Regulatory Frameworks: Offering expertise in understanding and complying with local regulations, making the transition into AI marketing smoother for businesses.

The Impact

This partnership is poised to create a ripple effect:

• Empowering Local Businesses: By equipping them with AI capabilities, local businesses can compete globally.
• Economic Growth: The infusion of AI in marketing can lead to more efficient business practices, driving economic growth.
• Job Creation: As the AI sector grows, it will create new job opportunities, particularly for the youth.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Techcess Granted and Sthenos Centerra is more than a business venture; it’s a catalyst for change in the Nigerian AI landscape. Addressing the core barriers with a targeted approach is more than just paving the way for businesses to enter the AI marketing space. Still, they are also contributing to the technological empowerment of Nigeria.

AI is emerging as a crucial ally for business owners, taking over mundane tasks and paving the way for innovation and growth. By automating routine processes, AI enhances efficiency and frees entrepreneurs to focus on more strategic, creative aspects of their business.

Transforming Mundane to Exceptional

AI’s ability to handle repetitive tasks is transforming how businesses operate. Predictive text software, for instance, is an excellent example of AI easing the burden of writing tasks. It learns writing patterns, enabling more straightforward communication and effective lead conversion. This AI application is precious for businesses where writing is a frequent necessity, allowing professionals to focus on the content’s creativity and strategy rather than writing mechanics​​.

Streamlining Operations

AI’s impact is also evident in operational tasks like billing and invoicing. Companies are utilizing AI to automate their invoice approval and creation process. This automation saves significant time and effort, which can be redirected toward customer service improvement and business development strategies​​.

Enhancing Customer Experience in Healthcare

In healthcare, startups like Aiva are using AI to revolutionize patient care. By integrating Alexa-powered platforms, they enable patients to interact with nurses and control in-house entertainment, enhancing the overall patient experience and allowing healthcare providers to allocate more time to critical care​​.

Fighting Financial Crime Efficiently

AI is employed in the financial sector to detect and prevent fraud. Machine learning algorithms identify unusual transaction patterns, which are then reviewed by human experts. This system improves the accuracy of fraud detection and allows financial professionals to focus on more complex, high-value tasks​​.

Making Social Media Management Effortless

Social media management, a time-intensive task for businesses, is made effortless by AI. AI software can search and post relevant content, automating a significant part of social media strategies and allowing businesses to concentrate on interactive and innovative content creation​​.

Personalizing Customer Experiences

AI’s role in creating personalized user experiences is a testament to its versatility. Sophisticated AI models analyze website content to tailor user experiences, ensuring visitors receive content aligned with their interests. This level of personalization was previously unattainable without significant human input​​.

Revolutionizing Manufacturing with Quick Cost Estimation

In manufacturing, AI is revolutionizing cost estimation processes. Particularly in injection molding, AI’s quick cost estimation capability gives businesses a competitive edge by providing faster responses to customer inquiries, allowing more time for quality control and innovation​​.

The integration of AI in handling mundane tasks represents a paradigm shift in business operations. By automating routine processes, AI boosts efficiency and opens new avenues for creativity and strategic thinking. Now unburdened from the chains of repetitive tasks, business owners can redirect their focus towards growth, innovation, and delivering exceptional customer experiences. As AI continues to evolve, its potential to reshape the business landscape becomes increasingly evident, making it an indispensable tool for any forward-thinking entrepreneur.

Diversity in technology, especially the inclusion of minority voices, is not just a moral imperative but a practical necessity for the following reasons:

• Broader Perspectives: Diverse teams bring various experiences and viewpoints, leading to more innovative and effective solutions.
• Avoiding Bias: Technology developed in a homogenous environment can inadvertently perpetuate biases. The inclusion of diverse voices helps in identifying and mitigating these biases.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Minority perspectives can ensure that technology is culturally sensitive and does not offend or alienate certain groups.
• Equitable Access: Diverse input helps in creating technology that is accessible and beneficial to a broader range of people, not just a privileged few.

Why Minority Voices Matter in Public Interest Technology:

Minority voices are often underrepresented in technology development, leading to a lack of understanding and consideration of the challenges faced by these communities. Their involvement in PIT can lead to:

• Greater Empathy: Understanding the unique challenges different communities face ensures that technology solutions are empathetic and tailored to real-world needs.
• Social Justice: Including minority voices in technology can help address historical injustices and inequalities, leading to more equitable societies.
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Minority groups often have unique insights into specific societal challenges, leading to innovative approaches to problem-solving.
• Economic Opportunities: Involving diverse groups in technology creation creates economic opportunities and promotes a more inclusive economy.

Involving minority groups in technology assessments is crucial for creating inclusive and equitable technological solutions. By incorporating approaches like participatory design, community-based interviews, and focus groups, technology assessments can become more inclusive, ensuring that the benefits of technological advancements are shared equitably across all segments of society. This leads to better technology outcomes and fosters a more inclusive and just technological future.

Public Interest Technology (PIT) has emerged as a crucial framework. At its core, PIT is about harnessing the power of technology to serve the greater good, ensuring that technological advancements benefit all segments of society. This article explores the critical concepts of Public Interest Technology. It underscores the importance of incorporating diverse perspectives, predominantly minority voices, in shaping the technological landscape.

Understanding Public Interest Technology: Public Interest Technology is a multidisciplinary field that intersects technology, public policy, and social impact. It involves the design, implementation, and management of technology solutions that prioritize public welfare and social justice. Key concepts in PIT include:

• Ethical Technology Development: Ensuring that technology is developed with ethical considerations at its forefront, avoiding harm and prioritizing human rights.
• Accessibility and Inclusivity: Creating technology that is accessible to all, regardless of socio-economic status, ability, or geographic location.
• Public Policy and Governance: Integrating technology into public policy in a way that addresses societal challenges and promotes equitable outcomes.
• Community Engagement: Involving communities in the development and deployment of technologies to ensure they meet the actual needs of the people.

Public Interest Technology represents a paradigm shift in how we approach technology development, focusing on societal welfare and ethical considerations. The inclusion of diverse perspectives, especially from minority communities, is not just beneficial but essential in ensuring that technology serves the public interest in an equitable and just manner. As we continue advancing technologically, we must prioritize diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that technology is a tool for empowerment and progress for all members of society.

A small coffee shop, owned by Maria, a passionate entrepreneur from an underrepresented community. Maria’s dream was to create a space that not only served great coffee but also became a hub for community activities and cultural exchange.

However, Maria faced challenges common to many small, minority-owned businesses: limited resources, tight competition, and the daunting task of effective marketing. This is where the story takes an interesting turn, thanks to the power of generative AI.

Maria learned about generative AI at a local business workshop. It’s a type of artificial intelligence that can create content – like art, music, and written material – all by itself after being trained on large datasets. Intrigued by its potential, Maria decided to give it a try.

First, she used generative AI to design unique coffee cup sleeves. She input cultural patterns and motifs representative of her community into the AI program, and it generated beautiful, one-of-a-kind designs. These sleeves became a hit, turning each coffee cup into a conversation starter and a piece of art.

Next, Maria used generative AI for social media marketing. She fed the AI information about her café and its values. The AI then created engaging posts, tailored to resonate with her community and beyond, attracting more customers who were captivated by the personalized and culturally rich content.

But Maria didn’t stop there. She used generative AI to optimize her inventory management. By analyzing sales data, the AI predicted busy periods and popular items, helping Maria stock up efficiently and reduce waste.

The impact was profound. The café transformed from a simple coffee shop into a thriving community landmark. Maria’s innovative use of generative AI not only streamlined her business operations but also allowed her to connect deeply with her customers, celebrate her heritage, and stand out in a crowded market.

This story of one café is a testament to how underrepresented communities can harness the power of generative AI to build competitive advantage, enhance efficiency, and create a unique identity in the world of business. It’s a tale of technology meeting tradition, innovation empowering communities, and a small business reaching new heights through the magic of AI.

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TechcessGranted@gmail.com

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial Intelligence, often known as AI, is like a brain for computers, smartphones, and many other kinds of technology. It’s designed to think, learn, and make decisions in a way that usually only humans can. The main goal of AI is to make machines smart enough to help with complex tasks, analyze vast amounts of data quickly, and make our lives easier and more efficient.

How AI Works: Data Analysis and Learning

One of the most impressive things about AI is its ability to process and analyze vast amounts of data much faster than a human ever could. For example, AI can look at millions of medical records in seconds to find patterns that help doctors diagnose diseases earlier. It learns from this data, improving and becoming more intelligent over time, much like how we learn from our experiences.

AI is simply “…machines acting in ways that seem intelligent.” 

Thomas Malone, Professor of Management at MIT’s Sloan School of Management

AI is like having a super-smart computer friend who can think, learn, and even make decisions almost like a human. Imagine you have a robot that can learn to clean your room just by watching you do it once and then does it for you from then on – that’s kind of what AI can do but with computer programs instead of robots.
You might not realize it, but you probably hang out with AI almost daily! Here are some ways AI is part of your daily life:

AI in Everyday Life

• Personal Assistants (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant): These AI-powered tools on your phone or home devices can answer questions, play music, or set reminders. They learn from your requests and preferences to provide more personalized help.
• Social Media Feeds: Have you ever noticed how your social media platforms seem to know what you like? That’s AI, analyzing your likes, shares, and comments to tailor your feed to your interests.
• Online Shopping Recommendations: Websites like Amazon use AI to suggest products. It analyzes your past shopping and browsing history to predict what else you might like.
• AI in Various Fields
• Healthcare: AI helps doctors diagnose diseases by analyzing images like X-rays or MRIs faster and more accurately.
• Finance: In banking, AI is used for fraud detection, analyzing transactions to spot unusual patterns that could indicate fraudulent activity.
• Transportation: Self-driving cars use AI to navigate and respond to road conditions, making decisions in real-time to ensure passenger safety.

So, AI is like a super-smart helper learning all the time to make things easier or more fun for you. And the coolest part? It’s always getting smarter and finding new ways to be part of our lives!

Learn More About AI

Plenty of resources are available online for those curious about diving deeper into the world of AI. Websites like MIT’s Introduction to AI offer comprehensive insights, and platforms like Coursera provide courses for all levels of interest and expertise.

By understanding AI and its impact on our daily lives, we can better appreciate the technology that makes modern living more efficient, safer, and enjoyable. AI isn’t just a sci-fi concept; it’s a powerful tool changing the world daily.

In a world where technology is rapidly advancing, the term “Artificial Intelligence” (AI) often evokes images of futuristic robots and high-tech cities. However, the true power of AI lies not in distant sci-fi scenarios but in practical, current applications that can transform everyday business operations. This blog series, “AI-Powered Progress,” is dedicated to demystifying AI and exploring how it can be a game-changer for small businesses, especially those in underrepresented communities.

Series

Throughout this series, we will unravel the complexities of AI, breaking it down into understandable segments. We aim to provide a roadmap for small business owners who may feel that AI is out of their reach, either too complex or too costly to implement. Our journey will demonstrate that AI is not only accessible but can be an incredible ally in driving growth, innovation, and competitiveness.

Learn More…

We’ll start with the basics, explaining what AI is and how it works. No jargon, just clear explanations.

Discover how AI is already being used in various industries and how these applications can be adapted for small businesses.

Learn how AI can handle mundane tasks, allowing business owners to focus on growth and innovation.

We’ll tackle the perceived barriers to AI adoption, from costs to the skills required, and show you how to overcome them.

Be inspired by real-life examples of small businesses that have successfully integrated AI into their operations.

Let us grant all people access to technology’s power to solve today’s most pressing problems. Techcess Granted is founded on the unwavering desire for technology to be used to better all lives, not favor some and impinge on others. It is crucial for us to imagine, design, and use technology for social good and anticipate its impact on underrepresented communities.

Techcess Granted’s mission is to inspire underrepresented minorities and women to engage with emerging technologies, ask questions, and participate in the conversation. All voices need to be heard from software developers and engineers to civic leaders and urban residents. The responsible and ethical use of technologies cannot be done without collective action. As we explore technology together, Techcess Granted aims to break the cycle of exclusion, a large number of underrepresented communities suffer.

Examples in Industry

Groups such as the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance are laying the fundamental groundwork and policies for future cities, underrepresented groups must be involved.

“As the world urbanizes, sustainable development and economic growth depend increasingly on the successful management of urban growth. With the right technology — and the know-how to govern it — cities can lead the way in solving problems in energy, transportation, healthcare, education and natural disaster response, while making their communities more inclusive, resilient and sustainable.” — Global Smart Cities Alliance

https://globalsmartcitiesalliance.org/?page_id=107

Diversity in the development of technology is essential to maximize the impacts Global Smart Cities Alliance points out.