TheCable

Welcome to the world of disruptive technology. Welcome to the 4th Revolution where the merger of the physical, digital and biological is made possible. Welcome to Silicon Valley. America’s leading innovation center. Silicon Valley is leading that process of technological advancement by disrupting itself.

The world of great possibilities. Just when we thought we had seen it all, our world and this time the technological world breaks forth with new inventions. A peep, just a mere peep into Silicon Valley shows the global trajectory from the world once dominated by the analytical minds to a new and bolder one created by sheer intuitive thinking.

The breakthrough in technological innovations in the past two decades have brought advancement in virtually every sector of human endeavour. The digital revolution of which telecommunications seems to be the greatest beneficiary continues to burst forth with new and daring innovations. From the age of the analogue to digitalization. From the 2G. To 3G. To 4G. To 5G. And now the world of AI, that is Artificial intelligence.

Suddenly, no invention is safe again. Just when you thought you had it wrapped up for ten or twenty years before something new in that field comes along- you get disrupted in less than 5 years. Because in America’s Silicon Valley and its replica around the world there is a relentless pursuit to disrupt technologies in order to create a more efficient, more advanced and more competitive ones.

This is simply because while analytical thinking is replaceable, intuitive thinking is unique. Just imagine the aspect of photography. We have moved from the Kodak world to that of digital prints. As at 2018 over 380 billion digital pictures have been taken compared to just 4 billion analogue photos earlier taken.

So welcome to my world. As I traversed Silicon Valley for three days this October the world of Artificial intelligence came to life. Whatever for me was before just in the realm of mere imminent possibilities or better still just a remote dream case to life. Artificial intelligence seeks to substitute human intelligence or better still as I would want to define it, AI seeks to transfer human intelligence into a set of algorithms, sensors, motions and operational systems. Simply put a human machine. AI intelligence makes the robot technology feel analogue. With AI things can be done with more precision and speed. And I wanted to feel it. I wanted to be part of that world. Not just take a walk in Silicon Valley but to listen to the leaders of the multibillion-dollar Unicorns regale me about their exploits.

So I asked to be driven in a car with AI. That is a car programmed to drive me on its own from point A to Point B. At first there was an argument with myself that if I tried it that might be a visa to a crash and death. I immediately dismissed that. Pronto. The red Tesla Jeep pulled up and o jumped into the driver’s seat. I was given instructions. The car would drive itself once programmed. But at traffic light points I must apply the brakes – that human intervention to take control was because of a law that was yet to be passed. And so began my 15 minutes Odyssey in an AI car. But wait. I made sure I took two other NCC board members along in the car. You know better not to die alone. At least take some company along. The drive through the streets of Silicon Valley was explosive. The car took turns on its own. Recognized bends on the road. Recognized when you are about to ascend a bridge and when you descend operating the gear system and the movement of the automobile in perfect symphony.

In Silicon Valley, failure is a badge of honour. If you are afraid to fail then success is a fleeting dream. From multiple failed attempts at innovating has come some of the most revolutionary technological inventions in the past decade. Here, failure is in huge supply but the huge reward of successful breakthroughs also abound though spaced.

In Silicon Valley, the strategy is to challenge oneself to shoot for the stars and in doing so FAIL forward. In setbacks and criticisms is born innovations. The trajectory is from the known to the unknown and it is paying off big time

Innovative thinking is centre stage. Of all that I heard and saw, this stayed fixed on my mind- “Think as a visionary. Don’t stop at what you know – you extend further into the unknown”. Such a powerful command.

Nigeria played on my mind. Our youth. Their talents. The numerous tech hubs and incubators that abound from Yaba In Lagos to Enugu, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Jos. The startups that need venture capital or the government to believe in them and lift them up. Nurture them. The private decor must tap into them.

The NCC returned with a determination to help Nigerian youth tap into the innovative world of Silicon Valley and of course connect them to the plug and play structure.

I will remember always that according to Robin Williams, “each one of us is only given a little spark of madness. And we mustn’t loose it”.