- AI can address significant problems in Africa, including agriculture and health.
- A pan-African strategy that outlines a continental vision for AI development will shortly be released.
- Africa may be the location where these novel solutions are being tested in the framework of the fourth industrial revolution.
Though Senegalese scientist Seydina Moussa Ndiaye warns of a new “colonization” if Western businesses continue to feed on African data without incorporating local actors, artificial intelligence (AI) can address significant problems in Africa, including agriculture and health.
One of the 38 members of the UN advisory group on machine learning, Ndiaye, thinks that outside assistance may hasten development on the continent.
Digital Colonization
While several African nations are starting to create specific AI policies, a pan-African strategy that outlines a continental vision for AI development will shortly be released.
AI is attracting the attention of young people starting firms, and international assistance can help to fuel this growing enthusiasm. Nonetheless, some industries have difficulties, such as agriculture and the health sector’s staffing shortage.
African cultural identity development is also important since it may contribute to a greater appreciation and understanding of African cultural identities.
Colonization is the largest threat because it prevents local solutions from existing by imposing the solutions of giant multinationals in AI across the continent. Since most African AI specialists work outside of the continent, the majority of data generated in Africa is controlled by global corporations.
Africa may be the location where these novel solutions are being tested in the framework of the fourth industrial revolution. The power of AI combined with advancements in biotechnology or technology may be utilized. In the absence of supervision, experiments involving chips or poorly understood biotechnology components may be conducted on humans.
High-level individuals with a thorough understanding of international affairs are crucial for bringing these challenges to the attention of the UN’s recently formed AI advisory committee, which is open for business.
There will be a greater emphasis on international scientific cooperation that benefits the least developed nations and involves all. To solve the rising issue of increasing inequality in Africa, it is imperative that the knowledge gap in AI is closed and that international cooperation be fostered.
