AI will replace doctors before Peller, says Omokri

Abdullateef Fowewe

Nigerian author and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri has argued that artificial intelligence may replace professionals such as doctors, lawyers, accountants and drivers before it can replicate the entertainment value, spontaneity and human warmth displayed by TikTok influencer, Peller.

Omokri made the remarks in a post titled, “Peller and the Olodo Uprising: An Unpopular Opinion,” where he pushed back against criticisms portraying the content creator as uneducated, goofy or unserious.

“Artificial intelligence will replace doctors before it can replace someone like Peller,” Omokri wrote.

He acknowledged that Peller could appear “goofy” and “downright silly,” but argued that the influencer possessed an uncommon appeal that had made him popular among celebrities and audiences.

“Yet that boy has an X factor that makes him the centre of gravity amongst many celebrities,” he said.

According to Omokri, AI may become increasingly capable of handling knowledge-based and technical work, but it cannot fully reproduce human humour, slapstick, improvisation and childlike playfulness.

“Because it takes a human to be goofy and act slapstick. I do not see AI ever doing stand-up comedy or improv kookiness, like Peller,” he stated.

The former aide said attributes often dismissed as unserious could become valuable in an era where artificial intelligence is disrupting conventional careers.

He claimed that AI was already reshaping fields including accountancy, engineering, music, filmmaking, transportation and legal practice, adding that automated systems were increasingly taking over duties previously handled by humans.

“Most of what we had to study for has been solved by AI,” Omokri wrote, arguing that parents should not place excessive pressure on children who may not excel academically.

He urged parents to encourage education while also helping their children retain happiness, confidence and the ability to connect naturally with other people.

“Don’t pressure your children or mock your wards because they aren’t getting the best grades. The world has changed,” he said.

Omokri described Peller’s perceived innocence, warmth and ability not to take himself too seriously as traits that could make him “AI-proof.”

“That Olodo boy called Peller is a money spinner, connecting with people and building bridges globally, because he has what AI cannot replicate in a thousand years.

“He has warmth, innocence, purity and the ability not to take himself seriously,” he wrote.

Drawing a comparison with late American pop icon Michael Jackson, Omokri said a similar “innocent purity of spirit” helped draw people to global entertainers.

He also cited a quote widely attributed to former Beatles member John Lennon about happiness being the key to life, arguing that emotional intelligence and joy could prove more enduring than academic qualifications in a technology-driven future.

“From that perspective, Peller understands life more than many PhD holders and Professors,” Omokri said.

He added, “As long as you have a healthy, happy child, you and they can add everything else to their life later.”