Ing. Patricia Obo-Nai, CEO of Telecel Ghana, has pushed for the strategic use of artificial intelligence (AI) in business to foster economic diversification. She delivered the keynote at the 8th Ghana CEO Summit last Monday, where she was named CEO of the Year in the telecoms industry, and gave thoughts on the critical role of artificial intelligence in driving economic growth.
“As CEOS, we have a responsibility, irrespective of the sector to adopt AI technologies to drive productivity, unlock new opportunities and protect our market relevance and positioning,” she said. We all need to support the diversification of our economy through our various sectors.”
Reflecting on Telecel Ghana’s evolution from its humble beginnings to its current position as a leading provider of combined mobile, fixed, tech, and financial services, Ing. Obo-Nai stated that the telecommunications industry is the backbone of the global digital infrastructure, so deploying AI to accelerate service delivery, improve customer experience, and stay ahead of the curve is critical to the industry’s and the country’s survival.
Ing. Obo-Nai shared practical examples of how Telecel Ghana has embraced AI front on, stating that cultivating a culture of digital awareness and prioritizing agile working practices inside Telecel has aided in the integration of modern digital technologies throughout its operations.
Telecel Ghana has integrated AI and machine learning into its product design system to provide clients with personalized data and voice packages. The algorithms understand each consumer’s behavior, such as data and airtime usage, in order to offer personalized packages that are appropriate for their purchasing power and usage history. Furthermore, the telco is utilizing artificial intelligence to predict client creditworthiness, credit limits, and likelihood of repayment before giving airtime or loans through their mobile money platform, Telecel Cash.
Ing. Obo-Nai also advocated for cross-sector collaborations as a way to leverage AI’s potential to drive overall economic growth. She mentioned that one way to ensure that AI benefits the economy is to promote cross-sector collaborations, such as Telecel Ghana’s current work with the energy and extractive sectors to digitize utility monitoring, remote asset checking, and real-time system maintenance, among other things.
In advocating for AI adoption, Ing. Obo-Nai emphasized the significance of responsible and proper usage of AI technology. She recommended leaders to establish ethical guidelines and regulations to avoid the technology from being abused, including navigating the complexities of legislative frameworks, resolving concerns about data privacy and security, and ensuring that the advantages of AI are delivered equitably.
Ing. Obo-Nai finished by pushing fellow business executives to embrace AI as a tool for operational efficiency and economic diversification. He stated that AI should enhance rather than replace human intelligence. “This future is not a distant dream – it is within our grasp, waiting to be realised through bold leadership and strategic investment in digital innovation,” Obo-Nai remarked. “Think AI, Use AI
The 8th Ghana CEO Summit had the theme “Reigniting Business and Economic Growth: Charting a Path Forward; Economic Diversification and Artificial Intelligence Transformation.” A CEO Dialogue between the Private and Public Sectors, as well as High Impact Learning.” Since its inception in 2016, the summit has brought together CEOs, chiefs of state, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders from West Africa and around the world to discuss solutions for economic growth and development.
