Digital Salon
Global Perspectives on: AI
How to Leverage Homegrown AI Solutions for Economic Growth in Africa
Digital Salon: Global Perspectives on: AI
March 13, 2024
online / Zoom
Africa is experiencing an AI boom, with 2,400+ organizations transforming sectors like healthcare and agriculture. But challenges persist. External tech players could take advantage of local data, sidelining Africa’s AI ambitions. We will explore the transformative potential of digital sovereignty for the African continent, engaging in dialogue with AI experts.
Key Takeaways
AI Policies
The African AI ecosystem presents many opportunities but requires proper infrastructure, policies, and data access. Bridging gaps in accessibility, connectivity, and affordability is crucial. Addressing data scarcity is also vital, as most current solutions rely on data from outside Africa. Only 11% of Large Language Models reflect African linguistics. To foster innovation securely, local governments must enact adequate AI policies, reducing risk for private sector investment in African AI projects.
Home Grown Solutions
Meeting local needs requires local data sets. Africa aims to gain data sovereignty and develop homegrown AI solutions. Unified pan-African AI policies provide investment planning security, highlight the continent's potential, and facilitate investments. Africa can learn from existing approaches while setting new standards like green, ethical, and human-centered AI focused on solving societal challenges in education, finance, agriculture, and climate change rather than just commercial interests.
Unique Opportunities
Africa's open canvas for AI aligns with its unique opportunities in human capital and scale. Within 5 years, Africa will have the world's largest workforce. The influential African diaspora may bring expertise back to the continent. Thus, investing in talent is crucial to prepare for the AI shift. Building a strong talent pool in data science, machine learning, and AI development is needed. To enable this critical mass, infrastructure must be affordable, accessible, and tailored to develop African solutions for global issues.
Contact Persons
Rhoda Berger, r.berger@globalperspectives.org
Digital Salon
The digital dialogue series "Global Perspectives on" is featuring European and African decision-makers in discussion about the relevant topics and developments for both continents.
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