Addis Ababa: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the crucial role of Ethiopia's visionary, industrious and creative young population in driving rapid transformation and development in the country. The Premier made the remark today during his address at the 2024 graduation ceremony of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute summer camp training program. On the occasion Abiy highlighted the need for visionary, creative, and industrious youth to spearhead the country's progress. The Prime Minister emphasized that investing in artificial intelligence today is a strategic move that will yield significant benefits in the future. The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute successfully concluded its 2024 summer camp with a graduation ceremony. The Premier addressed the graduating students, underscoring the strategic importance of artificial intelligence for Ethiopia's future development. 'The institute's work is laying the groundwork for significant technological advancements in the years to come, ' he added. Abiy also highlighted the pivotal role of the institute's training programs for first and second-level students in nurturing a new generation of creative and innovative Ethiopians. He reassured the students that the government is fully committed to supporting technological innovation and creating a conducive environment for their duty, emphasizing the government's Digital Ethiopia Strategy that prioritizes technology as a cornerstone of development, and reflecting the recognition of its vital role in modernizing various sectors of the economy. The Prime Minister also highlighted the recent official launch of the Information Network Security Administration's digital signature, a significant achievement driven by the country's young talent and emphasized its substantial benefits for technology innovators. 'To combat identity fraud and establish standardized procedures, the government has been actively working to implement a digital identity system for Ethiopian citizens,' noting that approximate ly 10 million people have already been registered, emphasizing the crucial role of digital identity for young people and teenagers as a foundational infrastructure for the future. The Prime Minister recalled that the training of 5 million Ethiopian coders will also foster a highly competitive and creative environment by producing well-qualified graduates with strong technological expertise. 'The government's digital projects will create conducive environment for innovative individuals to thrive,' he added. Drawing inspiration from other countries that have achieved technological advancements through their focus on the youth, the Prime Minister encouraged Ethiopian youth to embrace hard work and innovation. 'Ethiopia's success in technology depends on its young people's ability to contribute significantly to the field,' he emphasized. The Primer also urged the students to apply their acquired knowledge creatively and diligently in their future endeavors. He commended the parents of these promising stude nts for their role in nurturing their children's potential. Director General of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Engineer Warku Gachena, on his behalf highlighted the participation of 200 students from various schools across the country in the two-month training program. He praised the success of this year's summer camp, where the trainees showcased their technological diversity, creativity, and skills both individually and as a team. The students were encouraged to remain dedicated and view challenges as opportunities for growth in their ongoing learning journey. Source: Ethiopian News Agency