American Center for AI announces 2026 ACAI Summit in Ile-Ife. The summit will bring together technology executives, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, policymakers and emerging technology leaders for conversations on artificial intelligence By Staff Writer The American Center for Artificial Intelligence, ACAI, a Dallas and Abuja-based nonprofit organization focused on advancing artificial intelligence through research, education and innovation, will host the 2026 ACAI Summit on August 27, 2026, at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State. The summit will bring together technology executives, researchers, academics, entrepreneurs, policymakers and emerging technology leaders for conversations on artificial intelligence, the future of work, digital transformation, cybersecurity, innovation and the role of AI in Africa's economic development. Olusola Amusan, director of the American Center for Artificial Intelligence, said the summit was created to bring together people working across different parts of the technology ecosystem and create a more practical conversation about the future of responsible AI. "Artificial intelligence is moving from being an emerging technology to becoming part of the infrastructure of modern economies," Amusan said. "Africa needs to be part of that conversation. We need to develop people who can build with AI, conduct research, create companies and help institutions understand how to use the technology responsibly. This summit is one small contribution toward building that ecosystem." The conference will feature speakers from technology, business, academia, artificial intelligence and public sector institutions. Speakers include Mr. Emmanuel Asika, former country head, Nigeria, HP Inc., who has worked extensively across technology, digital transformation and digital inclusion in Africa. Mr. Bamidele Ogunmakin, software architect at Microsoft, will also speak at the summit. His professional work includes technology service delivery and business development. Ms. Freda Anyanwu, Africa Director, Global AI Council, will bring perspectives on AI literacy, innovation, talent development and the future of work. She is also the founder of EBH Africa and has worked extensively in AI, entrepreneurship, innovation and business development. The speaker lineup also includes Zainab Sani O., Nnanke Essien, Dr. Mubo Oni, Deji Onadeko, Austin Emenike, Mercy Frank, Oluwamuyemi Orimolade and Dr. Olufemi Olumide, alongside Prof. Boniface Kayode Alese, PhD, Professor of Information and Cyber Security and Dean of the School of Computing at the Federal University of Technology, Akure. The summit will also feature representatives of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), bringing a public sector perspective to discussions around Nigeria's digital economy, artificial intelligence and technology policy. Prof. Boniface Kayode Alese said that conversations about artificial intelligence must be accompanied by a deliberate investment in cybersecurity, education, research and responsible technology adoption. "Artificial intelligence is becoming an important part of the future of every economy," Prof. Alese said. "For Africa to benefit fully, we must develop people who can understand the technology, conduct meaningful research and apply AI to problems that are relevant to our own environment. Our universities and research institutions have an important role to play in that process." The summit is taking place at a significant moment for the development of artificial intelligence in Africa. As organizations across the continent increasingly explore AI for productivity, education, research, business and public services, there is growing demand for people and institutions that can understand the technology and deploy it responsibly. Amusan said the choice of Ile-Ife was deliberate. "Ile-Ife has a remarkable history as a center of knowledge, culture and scholarship," he said. "Hosting an AI conference here is a way of connecting that history of intellectual contribution with one of the most important technological developments of our time." The 2026 ACAI Summit will take place on August 27, 2026, at Oduduwa Hall, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. The American Center for Artificial Intelligence is a Dallas and Abuja-based nonprofit organization focused on responsible use of artificial intelligence, research, education, innovation and community development.