Leveraging Technology for a Better Tomorrow

The IEEE Day Webinar themed “Leveraging Technology for a Better Tomorrow” took place on October 17, 2025. It was organized by the IEEE University of Ibadan Student Branch and held virtually. The event started at 8:00 pm with opening remarks from the host, Adeyemi Titilayo. She warmly welcomed all participants and thanked them for being there. She highlighted the importance of IEEE Day as a global celebration of engineers and technologists who use innovation and creativity to make meaningful contributions to society. 

After the welcome address, the host introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Jenrola Odunolaoluwa, a Research Engineer at Spitch. Mr. Odunolaoluwa began his presentation by asking attendees to think about the real purpose of technology. He stressed that technology is not just about tools or automation. It is a response to human challenges and an effort to improve lives. He used the invention of the telephone as an example, showing how past innovations aimed to connect people. This transformed communication from an event into an immediate experience that diminished distance and time.

He discussed the current technological landscape, contrasting conversations in the West often focused on Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) and automation, with Africa’s unique developmental needs. He emphasized that Africa must play an active role in shaping its technological future by identifying real, specific problems and creating solutions that are thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable.

In discussing how to build technology, Mr. Odunolaoluwa stated that impactful innovation must start with empathy and human-centered design. He urged participants to ask not “What can we build?” but “What do people truly need, and how can technology meet that need?” He explained that success in innovation should not just be about technical accuracy or efficiency but about the number of lives improved, barriers removed, and opportunities created.

He also addressed the important role of engineers and researchers in keeping technology ethical and beneficial to society. He encouraged attendees to look beyond problems within their immediate surroundings, engage continuously with users to validate their solutions, and consider both the short- and long-term effects of their innovations. He highlighted the need for developing technologies that are sustainable, accessible, and adaptable to different economic conditions.

As a practical example, he talked about Spitch, a company focused on enabling seamless communication through advanced speech and language technologies. He described Spitch’s mission as promoting understanding across linguistic and cultural boundaries—showing how technology can bridge gaps and unite people.

In his call to action, Mr. Odunolaoluwa urged participants to approach every engineering project with intention and responsibility. He encouraged them to ask essential questions such as, “Who am I building for?”, “What real problem does this solve?”, and “Can this solution last without me?” He reminded attendees that technology is never neutral; each system and algorithm carries its own values. He urged the IEEE community to use their expertise to create technologies that support justice, inclusivity, and human dignity.

A question-and-answer session followed, where participants asked about artificial intelligence ethics, sustainable innovation, and challenges engineers face in Africa. Mr. Odunolaoluwa provided thoughtful and practical answers, highlighting empathy, collaboration, and ongoing learning as key parts of effective technological progress.

The event ended with closing remarks from Adeyemi Titilayo, who thanked the guest speaker for his insightful presentation and praised participants for their active engagement. Attendees were encouraged to keep the spirit of IEEE Day alive by using technology as a tool for social good and sustainable development.