AI, Jobs and Practical Problem-Solving

Presented by Dr. M. G. Srikanthan

Dr. M. G. Srikanthan addressed one of the most persistent concerns surrounding AI: whether it will eliminate jobs. He used the historical transition from typists and stenographers to computer-enabled occupations to argue that technological change can remove some roles while creating many others. His central message was that people must learn to work with AI rather than assume that existing job structures will remain unchanged.

He cited a World Economic Forum employment outlook in support of the argument that some job categories will decline while new categories will emerge, and he added that many existing professions will remain but with a significant portion of their tasks transformed by AI. In his view, accountants, engineers, doctors and other professionals increasingly need technology-enabled skills within their disciplines.

He clarified that “AI” is broader than the large language models that dominate public discussion. He referred to machine learning, neural networks, deep learning, fuzzy logic and other approaches, explaining that generative AI is one application area within a much wider field. His emphasis was not on defining AI for its own sake, but on using appropriate AI techniques to solve concrete problems.

He presented several applied examples. In agriculture, he described a computer-vision solution deployed with drones to identify diseased or affected crops earlier, helping farmers target interventions and reduce waste of inputs such as water and fertiliser. In customer service, he described speech-to-text and sentiment-analysis systems that can assess call-centre interactions and help organisations evaluate whether agents are communicating appropriately.

For equipment-intensive businesses, he described using real-time machine data and analytics to assess equipment health before machinery is rented or deployed, reducing the risk of breakdowns and losses. In education, he described a system designed to identify students who were on track, needed revision, required additional support or were at significant risk. The approach relied on more frequent low-stakes assessment rather than waiting until final examinations to discover learning problems.

He reported that this education intervention was associated with a substantial improvement in student retention in the example he discussed. He also referred to computer-vision monitoring and additional quality-control applications, including food or production environments where AI can help identify presentation defects or foreign objects.

His overall message was that AI should be treated as a practical problem-solving partner. Rather than framing AI primarily as a threat, organisations and professionals should focus on the new capabilities it creates and develop the skills needed to use those capabilities effectively.

Bankable Projects, Delivery and Project Finance

Presented by David Feeney

David Feeney focused on the distinction between an interesting project and a bankable project. He explained that many promoters approach financiers with ambitious ideas and funding requests, but the key question is whether an investor can see a credible return and a clear route to delivery.

He described his work as bridging project delivery and project finance. Areas mentioned included agricultural processing, rice, fish and dairy, solar farms, gas-turbine power projects and water-treatment systems. His team’s role is to help structure opportunities so that they become viable before capital is requested.

He expressed a clear interest in working in Ghana and in identifying Ghanaian partners capable of delivering projects. Agricultural post-harvest losses were highlighted as a major opportunity: processing centres can help smallholder farmers move beyond selling raw produce by enabling packaging, processing, export preparation and local value addition.

He referred to work involving agricultural processing centres in Nigerian states and said similar approaches could be developed in Ghana. He also mentioned other projects under consideration in areas such as sugar, carrots and agricultural processing.

During discussion, he identified trade finance and collateral as significant barriers, particularly for younger companies and cross-border African projects. He noted that high-street UK banks may not always be the easiest route for certain African transactions and that alternative financial institutions and structures may be more suitable. He used a simplified example to illustrate that a commercially attractive project can still fail to proceed if the promoter cannot satisfy collateral requirements.

AI & EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

Presented by David Blaise Ada

At our recent conference, Mr. Blaise shared key insights on how AI and emerging technologies are transforming today's workplaces. He explained the difference between AI tools and AI agents, and showcased practical examples like Grammarly, GitHub Copilot, and Plantix in education, coding, and agriculture.

He also touched on ethical risks—such as job loss, privacy issues, and misuse—and stressed the importance of using AI responsibly. The presentation concluded with tips on effective prompt writing and project ideas to help participants start building with AI.

AI & THE WORKPLACE

Presented by Adwoa Opare Ansah

Ms. Adwoa's presentation explored how AI and data are revolutionizing the workplace. She highlighted how AI is streamlining tasks, enhancing productivity, and enabling smarter decision-making across industries. From automation to predictive analytics, she showcased how organizations are using AI to gain a competitive edge.

She emphasized the importance of data as the foundation of AI and encouraged responsible practices around privacy and bias. Her talk closed with a call for individuals and businesses to build data literacy and prepare for a future where humans and intelligent systems work together.

LEGAL AND ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Presented by George Assuming

George's presentation focused on the legal and ethical challenges arising from the rapid growth of AI and emerging technologies such as blockchain, quantum computing, and robotics. He emphasized the double-edged nature of technology—while AI powers innovation, it also introduces risks like bias, misinformation, job displacement, and privacy violations.

He reviewed global regulatory efforts, including the EU AI Act and recent U.S. executive orders, and highlighted Ghana's own AI strategy and ethical readiness assessments. The session concluded with frameworks like NIST and ISO standards for responsible AI governance, stressing the need for fairness, accountability, and trust in AI development.

AI & MENTAL HEALTH

Presented by Mac Beth Yakuba

Mr. Yakuba's presentation focused on the role of AI in addressing social challenges, with a special emphasis on mental health. He highlighted how AI can support emotional well-being through accessible, tech-driven solutions. As part of his talk, he introduced Whispa2Me, a mobile app designed to provide a safe space for users to anonymously share their feelings and receive support. The platform aims to reduce stigma and encourage open expression, demonstrating how AI can be harnessed for empathy and connection in today's society.