Akwa Ibom govt reacts to claims of local production of 'AI phone'

The Akwa Ibom State Government has refuted claims that a young lady in the state has locally created an “AI phone”.

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In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Frank Ekpenyong, said such a product does not exist in Akwa Ibom.

“We appreciate the concerned members of the public who reached out to verify the authenticity of the claims. Following careful review, we wish to state categorically that the video is misleading, and the product it depicts does not exist,” the statement said.

According to a video clip posted on Facebook, the teenage girl, Uyaiabasi, is seen telling her interviewee at an event that she “invented an AI phone that has a lot of features that a regular phone does not have”.

“It’s voice control. It doesn’t have a screen, but it has a holographic display,” she said in the video. She said the phone costs N3,500.

Ms Uyaiabasi demonstrated to her interviewer how the device can be used to make calls and detect locations.

“Where are we?” she is heard asking the device.

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“We are at Four Points by Sheraton,” the device responded, referring to the state government-owned hotel in Ikot Ekpene.

The Akwa Ibom State Government said the resurfaced video went viral in 2023 during a tech week held at Ikot Ekpene, and that the young girl in the video was merely presenting an idea for an AI-powered phone.

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“The young lady featured, filmed in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, was merely presenting an idea for an AI-powered phone. Special effects – such as holographic projections, robotic voice responses, and futuristic visuals were digitally added to illustrate the concept.

“The video producers did not include a disclaimer clarifying that the device was fictional, resulting in public misunderstanding.

“With the video resurfacing and generating fresh narratives, the government has revisited the matter. The outcome remains the same: there is no such product; the visuals were purely illustrative,” Mr Ekpenyong said.

The commissioner stated that Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State is committed to supporting both indigenous and non-indigenous youths who showcase exceptional talents.

“The Government remains committed to supporting innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship among our youths, as encapsulated in the Arise Agenda,” Mr Ekpenyong said.

The Arise Agenda is Mr Eno’s economic blueprint for the state.