Engineers must understand AI across the development stack to stay relevant – Clement Nartey
Engineers must understand AI across the development stack to stay relevant – Clement Nartey
A Ghanaian engineer working in Austria has urged young professionals and students to broaden their understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across its evolving forms to stay competitive in today’s tech industry.
Mr. Clement Nartey, one of DIPPER Lab’s first graduates, now a Software Engineer at Flex an electronics manufacturing company in Austria, made the call during a virtual masterclass hosted by the DIPPER Lab.
The session was held via Zoom and attracted participants from academic, research, and tech communities in Ghana and beyond.
The event was introduced by Dr. Eric Tutu Tchao, Scientific Director of DIPPER Lab, who described the session as part of the lab’s mission to connect local talent with global industry insights.
Speaking on the theme “The Intelligent Factory: Weaving AI Into the Fabric of Electronics Manufacturing,” Mr. Nartey explained that AI is now deeply embedded in the electronics manufacturing process, well beyond its better known use in chatbots and virtual assistants.
“AI is not just about LLMs,” he said.
“In factories, it’s being used to automate precision tasks, improve quality control, and optimize entire production lines.”
He explained how AI technologies are helping manufacturers improve the design and assembly of Printed Circuit Boards (PCBs) and Internet of Things (IoT) systems, work he’s directly involved with at Flex.
He also shared experiences from his earlier work at semiconductor company Infineon.
Mr. Nartey outlined what he described as three key phases in the evolution of software: Software 1.0 (traditional coding), Software 2.0 (neural networks and machine learning), and Software 3.0 (AI systems powered by natural language).
He emphasized that engineers who can work across these three “stacks” are better prepared for the future.
“To thrive in today’s software landscape, it’s not enough to pick one lane. The engineers who stand out are the ones who can combine all three,” he said.
Participants also received practical advice on navigating careers in AI and electronics.
Mr. Nartey encouraged students to stay adaptable and to embrace interdisciplinary learning.
“Software is evolving rapidly, and AI is no longer a distant future, it’s already here. If you want to be part of this space, you have to evolve with it,” he added.
The DIPPER Lab masterclass is part of a broader effort to bridge research and industry in Ghana, offering students access to cutting-edge developments in global tech.