By Winifred Bosa

Folajimi Daodu, CEO of Vault Hill and one of Africa’s most prominent voices in artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and immersive technology, has urged African governments, private sector leaders, and individuals to embrace AI as a catalyst for economic transformation.

Daodu, who was recently appointed chief strategy officer and board member of the Nigeria in Diaspora Chamber of Commerce, will share his insights on “AI and Marketing Workflow: Disruption or Opportunity” at the Brand Journalists’ Conference scheduled for November 28, in Lagos. In an exclusive interview, he discussed the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption, job disruption, ethics, and what Africa needs to do to position itself for an AI-driven future.

“Like every major innovation, AI has both positive and negative sides,” Daodu said. “Governments, employers, and innovators need to open their minds to the opportunities while also preparing for what could go wrong. AI is here to stay, and we must figure out how to work with it as a co-collaborator.”

On concerns that AI could displace jobs, Daodu drew parallels with the third and fourth industrial revolutions when labourers who once manually assembled cars were forced to upskill as automation took over. “Yes, some jobs will be obsolete, but this is where advocacy and education matter. Workers need to reskill to stay relevant. For example, if AI allows you to complete in minutes what used to take days, the challenge is how to use those extra hours productively within your organization,” he explained.

Daodu believes the responsibility to upskill is shared between the government, employers, and individuals. “The government is an enabler, but the ultimate responsibility lies with individuals. The internet has democratised learning, you can acquire new skills in days or months. It takes discipline, but the change has to start with us,” he noted.

He also highlighted the ethical concerns surrounding AI, urging transparency when AI-generated content is used. “If you use AI to create work, attribute it. Ethics, legal frameworks, and intellectual property must be taken seriously to build trust,” he said.

On the cost of AI adoption, Daodu acknowledged it can be expensive, with running costs for small businesses ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 annually. “It’s not for ‘small boys,’ but the benefits outweigh the costs. Beyond the tools, businesses must invest in data privacy, hosting, and security,” he said.

Daodu identified manufacturing and logistics as industries most likely to face disruption once AI adoption scales. He urged employers to start upskilling their workforce to minimize social shocks.

The CEO added that Africa must treat AI with the same urgency it once treated mobile telephony. “Africa can leapfrog again. Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria already have AI strategies. Now we need intentional investment, execution capability, and bold leadership to make it real,” he said.

Daodu, who was the only Nigerian selected by the Dubai Future Foundation in 2024 to work on strategies for Dubai’s next decade, concluded that African leaders must fully embrace technology, because of the advancement it can bring. “They need to empower their teams, experiment, and build for the youth who will lead tomorrow,” he urged.