The Plateau State Government has trained senior public officials on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in public administration as part of efforts to improve productivity, strengthen accountability and advance digital governance.
The training, themed “Closing the AI Gap for Executive Excellence: Strengthening Leadership, Productivity and Accountability,” brought together senior government officials, including the Secretary to the State Government, Arch. Samuel Jatau; Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap; and Permanent Secretary, Policy and General Services, Gayi Timothy.
The programme was organised to help government executives understand how AI tools can support administrative responsibilities while addressing the risks associated with their use in public institutions.
Jatau, who represented Governor Caleb Mutfwang, said understanding artificial intelligence had become increasingly important as the state works towards digitising government operations and aligning its administrative practices with global developments.
He described AI as a double-edged sword, noting that although the technology could improve efficiency, its misuse could create risks for government institutions.
“AI is a double-edged sword which has the good side and the bad side, and that is the reason why we are here today, so that we can know which edge of the sword we should use,” Jatau said.
He urged public officials to develop the skills required to use AI tools effectively, identify AI-generated documents and exercise caution when sharing official information with digital platforms.
AI Expected to Improve Public Service Delivery
Timothy said the training was designed to bridge the gap between the opportunities artificial intelligence presents and the capacity of government institutions to apply the technology effectively.
He explained that AI could help public servants streamline administrative processes, analyse data, prepare reports, improve planning and monitor institutional performance.
According to him, these applications could reduce routine workloads, improve the quality of information available to decision-makers and enable public officials to concentrate on strategic responsibilities.
However, Timothy stressed that adopting AI should not come at the expense of human oversight, data protection or professional standards.
“The success of this programme will ultimately be measured not merely by what we learn, but by how effectively we apply that knowledge to improve institutional performance and the quality of services delivered to our citizens,” he said.
His remarks highlighted the need to measure the success of digital capacity-building initiatives by their practical effects on government operations and services rather than training participation alone.
Government Communication Also in Focus
Ramnap said AI adoption was particularly relevant to government communication, where digital tools could support information gathering, processing and dissemination.
She urged participants to use the training to improve how government information is collected and communicated to the public.
“We must key into this if we must work as employees of government and chief executive officers. I’m hoping that this training will be able to equip us better on how to gather data and also disseminate information,” she said.
The use of AI in government communication could help officials organise information and prepare materials more efficiently. However, official information still requires verification, appropriate authorisation and human review to minimise errors and prevent the dissemination of misleading content.
These safeguards are particularly important when public institutions use AI to process sensitive information or communicate policies that affect citizens.
Digital Governance Requires More Than AI Training
Plateau’s initiative comes amid broader efforts by governments to use digital technology to improve public administration and expand access to services.
TheDailyNewsHub previously reported on the World Bank’s strategy to boost digital connectivity in developing countries, highlighting the importance of making digital access more affordable and strengthening the foundations for technology adoption.
For Plateau State, the longer-term impact of AI training will depend on whether public institutions can translate the knowledge acquired by senior officials into practical improvements in planning, decision-making and service delivery.
This will require appropriate digital infrastructure, clear rules for responsible AI use, adequate data protection and continued capacity-building for public servants beyond the executive level.
The government will also need to ensure that AI-supported decisions remain subject to human judgement and established administrative procedures.
While the training represents a step towards building digital capacity within the state’s public service, its broader value will ultimately depend on how effectively the skills are applied across ministries, departments and agencies.
The programme is expected to encourage responsible adoption of emerging technologies across Plateau State’s government institutions, with the goal of developing a more efficient, accountable and citizen-focused public service.