AUSTInspire Hosts Webinar on Real-World Applications of Data Science and AI

The AUSTInspire Business Incubation Center of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abuja, hosted a Webinar with the theme “Beyond the Code: From Theory to Industry Impact,”

The webinar which took place at the NNPC hall, Mandela hall, AUST was aimed at exposing students and young professionals to the practical realities of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in industry.

The webinar brought together students and faculty members eager to move beyond classroom theory and gain insights into how AI solutions are deployed, scaled, and monetized in real-world business environments.

In his opening speech, Dr. Vitalis Anye, Dean, School of Engineering and AUSTInspire Coordinator, who stood in for the AUST President , Prof. Azikiwe Peter Onwualu, FAS, thanked the participants for making out time to participate in this very important webinar.

He harped on the importance of bridging academic knowledge with industry relevance.

In his presentation, Mr. Ukachi Osisiogu provided an engaging and practical lecture on the realities of applying Data Science and AI beyond academic settings. In his presentation, he stressed that while theoretical knowledge is essential, real value lies in creating measurable impact.

“Theory gets you to the interview. Code gets you the job. But impact gets you a career,” Mr. Osisiogu stated.

He further explained that what is taught in classrooms often represents only the surface level of industry needs, noting that organizations pay for the foundational systems, decision-making frameworks, and business value that underpin AI solutions. Using fraud detection and security systems as a case study, he illustrated how theory evolves into impactful applications when aligned with real-world challenges.

Mr. Osisiogu also cautioned against what he described as the “billion-dollar accuracy trap,” emphasizing that while code is the engine of AI systems, impact is the true destination.

“Code is the engine, but impact is the destination. Impact should always be the goal,” he added.

The session featured interactive discussions, with students asking questions and sharing perspectives on career readiness, industry expectations, and the practical skills required to succeed in AI-driven roles.

The event was promoted by Mr. Ukachi Osisiogu, an alumnus of the university in conjunction with AUSTInspire incubation hub as an ongoing efforts to connect academic learning with industry impact.