An Artificial Intelligence Engineer with Intel Corporation, Dr. Daniel Teye Ocansey, is challenging Ghana to take advantage of AI to solve the pressing issues of Galamsey.
According to him, AI could be deployed to pick out new areas being invaded by illegal miners.
Speaking as the Motivational Speaker for the College of Science Graduation Ceremony at KNUST, Dr. Ocansey indicated “AI can analyze satellite images from Google Maps to spot changes like cleared land, new pits, paths, or river discoloration, and send alerts with GPS locations to authorities.”
In the fight against illegal mining, security forces have often acted late in dealing with invasions of some spaces due to late detection of the activities of recalcitrant miners.
According to Dr. Ocansey, with Artificial Intelligence, such acts could be detected for early intervention.
Illegal mining has become a major challenge for the country, causing destruction to forest reserves and river bodies.
Various measures, including the use of security forces to deal with the challenge, have yielded little result.
By adopting this technology, it is believed that the persons in charge of checking the illegality will act in real time.
Using AI to prevent road accidents
A report from the National Road Safety Authority showed that road accidents claimed about 1,937 lives between January and August this year.
Out of the 16,348 vehicles involved in the accidents, 10,957 persons were injured, and 9,626 total accident cases were reported.
From the figures, 5,515 were commercial vehicles, 6,647 were private vehicles, and 4,186 were motorcycles.
Though some of these accidents are caused by human acts, the poor nature of the country’s roads remains a contributing factor.
Hazards such as broken-down vehicles, potholes, and other impediments are realized late, causing accidents.
Dr. Ocansey, in proposing AI solutions, indicated, “AI can combine Google Maps, phone sensors, and traffic data to detect hazards instantly and send real-time alerts to drivers via Google Maps, WhatsApp, or radio.”
It is estimated that at least two thousand lives lost through road accidents would be spared annually.
To him, most national issues could be solved through the necessary Artificial Intelligence tools.
Advice to Graduands
Dr. Ocansey further advised the youth to take opportunities in the field of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Data-driven intelligence.
To him, these fields are emerging areas where the youth may find job opportunities and contribute to national development.
Using his development as an example, Dr. Ocansey added “today, I serve as a CAD AI Engineer at Intel Corporation, where I build AI-driven tools that automate design, improve productivity, and power innovation in the CAD industry.”
“Now, I didn’t share all this to impress you but to impress upon you that possibility lives where persistence resides,” he emphasized.
Source: Nana Yaw Gyimah
