Deploy AI to improve performance, experts tell lab technologists

Stakeholders have highlighted the need for the integration of Artificial Intelligence in the practice of science laboratory technology.

They noted that AI provided an enhanced capacity to manage and interpret large information into useful pieces, leading to improved human productivity.

This was made known at the Nigerian Institute of Science Laboratory Technology/Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria Annual Scientific Conference held at the Lagos State Teaching Hospital, MRC Hall, Ikeja, themed, “Artificial Intelligence: Fundamentals and Applications in Science Laboratory Technology Research Towards a Sustainable National Economy.”

According to Britannica, AI is the ability of a computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with processes associated with intelligent beings.

The Research and Innovation arm of the European Union notes that AI acts as a catalyst for scientific breakthroughs and is key in scientific processes.

Also, a website, Data Science, notes that AI is useful in science as it improves and simplifies the work of scientists.

The conference Guest Speaker, Prof.  Wellington Oyibo, urged the participants not to be afraid of using AI tools, debunking myths that AI could take over human jobs.

Oyibo, a Professor of Medical Parasitology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Idi-Araba, added that although AI appeared simplistic, there was a needed level of expertise and different levels of capacity to use it.

He said, “It comes in as an accelerator, a utility platform and a key that opens the door to have access. These days we talk about smart systems that are enabled and driven by technology. When it is smart, it takes away the room for cloudiness, it removes some of the difficulties and challenges that you may have. When you talk about intelligent systems, you talk about AI-based capacity and how that can be applied.”

Speaking on the impact of AI on science, Oyibo stated AI ensured precision and prediction based on multiple data.

He added that computational sciences helped to streamline and provide precision in issues such as vaccine development and medicines targets.

“With AI, we have been able to see quite a lot of input being made in biological and biomedical sciences and those areas have been quite clear in genomics and some of these results we have begun to see where we have targets for vaccine development which have been very useful. The application in lab sciences, some of them, were things we thought were fiction in those days but we are now seeing,” Oyibo said.

The don further noted that while the innovation of AI helped in the quick processing of data, the imputed data must be clear.

In his speech, the ASLTON president, Ayotunde Omorilewa, stated that the science laboratory profession encompassed the education, health, pharmaceuticals, industrial, agricultural, oil and gas, power and research sectors.

He noted that the government’s competitive policies both in the training and practice of science laboratory technology had victimised the profession.

Omorilewa said, “Enough is enough. As professionals, we have made up our minds to rescue this situation by all within our power to make things work under the present government because we know that they have a listening. What do we need the government to do to give our best to the nation?

“One, a ship without a captain is a rudderless ship, but NIST, our mother agency, needs to have a council in place. We appeal to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to please immediately constitute our council as this will facilitate the formulation of appropriate policy to steer the profession and in return make things better for our dear nation,”

He further called for the removal of “obnoxious policy that works against professionalism in the civil and public service and support quackery.”

Omorilewa urged the government to facilitate interagency collaboration through specific research funding, adding that the practising license of the profession is made compulsory during the employment process to ensure productivity.

On his part, the Director-General of the NISLT, Yemi Gbadegesin, encouraged registered SLT graduates to bring their practising licenses to the National Youth Service Corps camp and recommended that they be posted to organisations where they could effectively apply their skills.

He added that the institute would continue to uphold high standards in knowledge, equipment exposure and practical skills for aspiring members.

Speaking on the conference theme, Gbadegesin noted that Artificial Intelligence had become an indispensable tool in modern laboratories such that its speed, allowed vast amounts of data to be processed quickly and accurately, thereby reducing diagnostic times and improving the reliability of results.

He noted that Al-powered machine learning algorithms could analyse high-resolution blood samples to detect subtle differences between leukocyte types, which was crucial for early disease detection.

Gbadegesin further stated that to ensure sustained relevance, the institute must develop a new framework that focuses on smarter regulations, skill development and long-term strategies supported by industry partnerships.

The DG further urged the 19 inducted fellows to uphold the code of ethics of the profession and abide by the oath taken.