WIPO IP LABS Participants and Facilitators Announcement

The WIPO Nigeria Office (WNO), in collaboration with its implementing partner, The Orbra Company, is delighted to announce the selection of outstanding entrepreneurs and exceptional facilitators for the WIPO IP Labs program in Nigeria.

Launched in August 2023, innovators across Nigeria were invited to apply for a virtual incubation and acceleration program focused on leveraging intellectual property (IP) to drive business growth. Applications were evaluated based on criteria including viability, sustainability, IP potential, diversity, and local impact.

Participants

After a rigorous evaluation process, 56 innovators were chosen as participants, representing diverse industries, backgrounds and locations across Nigeria.

On being selected, the entrepreneurs expressed enthusiasm for the learning and growth opportunities provided by WIPO IP Labs. The program will equip them with knowledge and tools to transform their ideas into thriving businesses.

Selected Participants

​ARTHUR ALUMBA JUMMAI VICTOR TELA PRECIOUS OLUFEMI ADEPOJU MICHAEL ADEOYE SHABAN HARUNA AUGUSTA OKAFOR STEPHEN ADEYEMO TERNENGE IKPAAHINDI OBOT UMOH DAN EBOH DUNBE BIRSAN INIOBONG JOHN JOHN ADAKOLE AISHA BALA BASHIR ABBA KYARI ABDULAZEEZ SALAHUDEEN UTHMAN ALAO UZOMA ONYEKACHI JOSHUA ABEL ADEYINKA MEDUOYE

​THOMAS JAMES JOHNSON JOHNSON PAM GYANG CHARLES UMEH OLUWATOMISIN FAWEHINMI TEMIDAYO YEMI ENIOLA AUGUSTA OKAFOR CHINYERE ROSITA EZEIRUAKU PATIENCE IMEH KAYODE FALUYI EMMANUEL WILLIAMS RICHARD OMOLE ENIOLA ONI DANIEL AKINYIWOLA FAVOUR LEO-ADEGUN MICHAEL OSUMUNE OLAKUNLE JOSEPH ADEOLA BAMIKOLE OLUWAFOLAKANMI OYELEKE AMIDU MOHAMMED

ABRA DANGNAN SOLA BABALOLA CHIOMA NNANNA ESHIET EMMANUEL NOMA SODIPO RUBY IGWE TOYIN ODUTOLA CHIMOBI OGUDU KAMAL ALIYU IFEANYI ENWU ADEWALE ADEBISI ALEX NWACHUKWU KOLAWOLE FALADE TAIWO ISOLA EFFORT OSAYOGIE ABDULJALAAL ABUBAKAR

Facilitators

In addition, carefully selected industry experts will deliver training sessions and provide mentorship to participants. Their insights will be invaluable for equipping participants with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively leverage IP and develop viable businesses.

List of Facilitators:

1. KAYODE OYEWOLE - Co-founder, Talstack

2. UKINEBO DARE - Mastercard Foundation

3. OLOLADE OTAYEMI - CEO at The Orbra Company

4. JANE ODOWONDO - People Manager, Telesoftas

5. JULIANA OBOH-JOSEPH - WIPO Nigeria Office

6. MARIA HAMPTON - President, Elevate Ent. System. USA

7. ‘LAMIDE JOHNSON - Storyteller, UK

8. MIMSHACH OBIOHA - CEO, Nigeria at Telesoftas

9. OLADIWURA OLADEPO - ED Tech4Dev

10. STEPHEN TILLMAN - Global Partnership at Google

Program Overview

From September to December 2023, participants will benefit from tailored coaching with the program conducted in two stages:

Stage 1: General mentoring on startup development, design thinking, pitching, and IP introduction

Stage 2: Incubation, acceleration and IP Management Clinics to help participants leverage IP protection for business growth

Facilitator-led workshops, hands-on activities, and mentorship sessions will provide both theoretical learning and practical application. Participants will also be able to network with investors and industry veterans to forge connections that catalyze their entrepreneurial growth.

The WIPO IP Labs program represents a unique opportunity for individuals and teams to gain business acumen, refine their ideas, and bring impactful products and services to life.

WIPO congratulates the selected participants and looks forward to supporting their startup journeys. The future shines bright for those leveraging IP to drive solutions made in Nigeria, for Nigeria, and beyond!

For more information about the program, please visit the WIPO Nigeria website

Ethical AI and Leadership: Guiding Principles for Responsible Tech Innovations

In our ever-transforming technological landscape, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized industries, offering unprecedented potential for innovation and growth. As a result, it’s pivotal to delve into the junction of ethical AI and effective leadership. This blog post aims to provide you with an in-depth exploration of the fundamental principles that underlie ethical AI development and leadership in the context of technological advancements.

The Significance of Ethical AI The advent of AI technology brings forth not just incredible opportunities, but profound responsibilities as well. As a tech leader, comprehending and championing the ethical facet of AI is not merely a strategic advantage but an ethical obligation. Ethical AI necessitates developing AI systems that align with human values, uphold fairness, and consider potential societal impacts. In this domain, your role extends beyond innovation to encompass safeguarding against biases, preserving user privacy, and fostering public trust.

Guiding Principles for Ethical AI Leadership

1. Transparency and Accountability: Ethical AI mandates transparency throughout the lifecycle of development. Foster an environment of openness within your team, elucidating the mechanisms of AI decision-making and nurturing a sense of accountability. This not only facilitates error identification but also nurtures trust among stakeholders.

2. Fairness and Bias Mitigation: Biases inherent in AI algorithms can inadvertently perpetuate discrimination and inequality. As a leader, adopt a proactive stance by instituting measures to identify, understand, and mitigate biases in both data and algorithms. Strive for algorithms that treat all individuals impartially, promoting inclusivity.

3. Privacy Preservation: Safeguarding user privacy stands as a paramount concern. Institute robust data protection protocols, anonymize sensitive data whenever feasible, and procure explicit user consent for data utilization. Adhering to privacy regulations not only shields individuals but also augments your organization’s credibility.

4. Beneficence and Societal Impact: AI applications should contribute positively to society. As a leader, ascertain that your technological innovations enhance human well-being and foster societal progression. Regularly assess the broader impact of AI in sectors such as healthcare, education, and environmental sustainability.

5. Continual Learning and Improvement: Cultivate a culture of perpetual learning within your team. Recognize that ethical AI is an ongoing journey, necessitating iterative enhancements. Urge your team to learn from mistakes, refine algorithms, and adapt to emerging ethical considerations.

Real-world Examples

1. Algorithmic Hiring Bias: Explore instances where biased algorithms perpetuated inequities in hiring processes. Discuss how organizations rectified these biases through recalibration, augmented data sets, and continual auditing, underscoring the importance of vigilance.

2. Healthcare Diagnostics: Spotlight ethical AI’s role in medical diagnostics, where precision and patient care take precedence. Emphasize the significance of informed consent, transparent AI-generated diagnoses, and the perpetual involvement of medical professionals.

3. Criminal Justice System: Examine cases where AI-driven predictive policing algorithms exhibited racial biases, resulting in unjust outcomes. Delve into how recalibrating algorithms and diversifying training data can rectify such biases, highlighting the importance of fairness.

4. Environmental Conservation: Illustrate how AI is employed to optimize resource allocation in conservation efforts. Elaborate on the ethical implications of AI’s role in balancing human needs with environmental preservation.

Conclusion As a tech leader, your realm transcends beyond technological advancement; it encompasses the ethical stewardship of AI’s impact on society. By adhering to the guiding principles of transparency, fairness, privacy, beneficence, and continuous improvement, you wield the power to shape not only your organization’s trajectory but also the ethical trajectory of AI advancements on a global scale. Upholding responsible tech innovations isn’t merely a choice; it’s an ethical responsibility that defines a future where AI enriches lives while upholding essential human values.

Striking the Balance: Navigating Strategic Decision-Making in Technology Leadership

In the dynamic realm of technology, leaders face a profound conundrum: how to weave innovation and stability into a harmonious fabric that propels their organizations forward. The captivating dance between these two dimensions can determine the fate of a company, influencing its trajectory and market position. In this expansive blog post, we embark on a deep exploration of the art and science behind maintaining equilibrium between innovation and stability, equipping tech leaders with nuanced strategies to navigate this intricate landscape.

Embracing the Catchphrase: Innovate or Perish The resounding mantra “innovate or perish” resonates powerfully in the corridors of tech leadership. Amidst the whirlwind of rapid technological evolution, the imperative to innovate is non-negotiable. It galvanizes companies to stay ahead of the curve, catalyzing transformative breakthroughs that redefine industries. However, this pursuit of innovation can be tumultuous, introducing disruptions that challenge the stability of established systems. For tech leaders, it’s a delicate balance that necessitates embracing the future while grounding the present.

The Comfort of Stability While innovation forges the path to progress, stability provides the anchorage that keeps organizations rooted and resilient. Stability embodies consistency, reliability, and predictability—a bedrock that nurtures trust among stakeholders, customers, and employees. Yet, an unwavering commitment to stability can breed complacency and stifle evolution. The challenge lies in harmonizing stability with the relentless spirit of innovation.

The Balancing Act: Strategies for Success

1. Clear Vision and Goal Alignment: Tech leaders must articulate a clear vision that aligns innovation with the organization’s long-term goals. This provides a sense of purpose and direction, guiding both innovative endeavors and stability-driven initiatives.

2. Risk Management: Innovation inherently involves risk, and leaders must be adept at assessing and managing these risks. Implementing processes to identify, evaluate, and mitigate potential pitfalls helps maintain a sense of stability while exploring new avenues.

3. Cultivating a Culture of Innovation: Foster a culture that encourages creativity, experimentation, and learning. This can be achieved by providing dedicated time for innovation projects, celebrating failures as opportunities to learn, and recognizing and rewarding innovative contributions.

4. Incremental Innovation: Not all innovation needs to be groundbreaking. Encourage incremental innovation, which involves making smaller, iterative improvements to existing systems. This approach minimizes disruption while consistently driving progress.

5. Scenario Planning: Anticipate potential future challenges and opportunities through scenario planning. By envisioning different possibilities, leaders can develop strategies that balance innovation with the ability to adapt to various scenarios.

Real-World Examples

• Apple: The unveiling of the iPhone heralded a watershed moment of innovation. Yet, Apple’s astute strategy of blending groundbreaking releases with iterative enhancements has fostered a stable user experience while etching indelible footprints on the tech landscape.

• Microsoft: Pioneering the “One Microsoft” initiative, the company orchestrated a harmonious symphony across its multifaceted product spectrum. The move balanced innovation across diverse platforms, underscoring the potential of unity amid diversity.

Conclusion The journey of a technology leader is a dynamic one, where the quest for innovation harmonizes with the need for stability. Striking the right balance between these seemingly opposing forces requires a blend of vision, adaptability, and calculated risk-taking. By fostering a culture that encourages innovation, aligning with clear goals, and embracing a mindset that welcomes change, tech leaders can navigate the complex landscape of strategic decision-making, ultimately propelling their organizations towards sustained success in the ever-evolving tech landscape.