The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its involvement in diversified sectors is unprecedented. AI is fueling the fourth industrial revolution and the role of technology in socio-economic developments. Despite on its initial phase, AI touches every sector and its fast development makes the future of the sector unpredictable. Despite the concerns with regard to its risks and threats for humanity, the development of AI and its familiarity with every sector is growing where the future of AI is even more unpredictable.
Despite AI comes with known and unknown challenges, its potential in transforming and promoting sustainable development is imminent. Especially, deploying AI in developing regions like Africa can transform development endeavors. Adopting AI in critical sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education and energy can foster economic and infrastructural development and even environmental sustainability. Despite it comes with new challenges and risks, adopting AI and preparing to manage it to use properly is a timely task for countries, especially for the developing countries.
Yes, AI comes with threats and risks. Still tardiness in applying it would become the highest risk for countries. Instead, countries should deploy AI and invest on developing the new technology so as to manage the threats and exploit the potential benefits of the technology. In this regard, countries have to focus on implementing AI and investing on introducing best practices and policies for developing safe, transparent, accountable and manageable AI technology so as to exploit its potential benefits and to manage the risks. Hence, in addition to introducing the technology, developing countries should give due focus to address the matters of AI governance, establish frameworks and standards, ensuring deployment align with ethical principles and international norms should be the concern of countries.
Countries should understanding the enormous potential of AI in socio-economic growth, despite the challenges of the sector. To minimize the risks and challenges, investing on researches and governing frameworks is crucial to mitigate the risks effectively and to harness the benefits in a way that is inclusive and sustainable. To exploit the full potential of AI, it requires investments in infrastructure, education, and governance frameworks so as to create an environment where AI-driven innovation thrives.
Despite the debates whether AI is a blessing or a threat for the wellbeing of human beings, remaining behind is a serious threat for the developing world. Hence, adopting the technology and investing on AI and AI education is a timely action. Yet, developing countries are remaining behind in adopting the technology, despite limited activities here and there. In this regard, investing in human resource development and creating a favorable ecosystem for AI is crucial for the developing world.
Understanding the role of AI, Africa started investing on the technology, though with limited capacity. In this regard, investing on human resource development gets new attention in the sector. In July 2024, African Development Bank (ADB) and Intel have announced a partnership to train three million Africans and 30,000 targets to revolutionize the African digital ecosystem and economic growth by tackling socio-economic challenges and enhance productivity in the agriculture, health, and education centers.
The program targets making AI accessible for all, breaking down barriers related to geography, gender and ethnicity. It also aims assisting African countries and regional bodies develop harmonized policy and regulatory frameworks for AI, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, data and cloud technologies. And, recently, on September 10-11, a continental forum on AI was organized in Lagos, the “Global Inclusivity and AI: Africa” conference. It highlighted Africa’s enormous potential to leverage AI for sustainable socio-economic development of the continent and accelerating development goals.
Properly applied and managed AI can advance SGDs and address key challenges like global health, food security, education and climate change. Accordingly, Africa should play its role in in shaping global AI system and in ensuring ethical AI development. Ethically managed, safe and transparent AI technology has the potential to drive economic growth, improve social wellbeing and address pressing global challenges. Exploring the opportunities and challenges of AI development and deployment should be the priority of countries instead of leaving the technology for others.
AI can improve social wellbeing and address societal challenges such as poverty, healthcare, education, and climate change. Hence, building AI ecosystem and exploring strategies for fostering vibrant AI ecosystem in Africa, including investments in research, talent development and infrastructure needs urgent actions in the continent. Cooperation among the continent’s countries and with international community is crucial in this regard so as to harness the benefits and mitigate the potential risks of the technology.
During the AI conference, Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy of Nigeria, Bosun Tijani (PhD) highlighted the potential of AI to leapfrog traditional development challenges and create new opportunities for growth, according to reports. “AI is not just another technology trend; it is a significant catalyst for the change that our country needs,” Tijani said. “It offers us the chance to unlock new possibilities and create a more inclusive and prosperous future.” Implementing AI and properly exploiting its potentials can transform Africa’s health system, education, agriculture and climate change.
Recent researches on AI and digitalization indicated that accelerating AI and digitalization can transform development endeavors significantly. According to a recent study entitled “The Digital Opportunity of Sub Saharan Africa”, AI can contribute up to USD 30 billion GDP in Sub-Saharan Africa. The research, conducted by the financial support of Public First Consulting Company revealed that by developing and deploying AI, Sub-Saharan countries can earn up to 30 billion USD Gross Domestic Products (GDP) in the coming ten years.
According to the study, 70 percent of the population of Sub-Saharan Africa is youth under the age of 30 and from this energetic youth population, more than 76 percent have access to internet. In this sub-continent, developing internet access by one percent can boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by six percent, according to the study.
Citing the research, Forbes Africa stated that AI can accelerate digital economy in Africa by facilitating work activities, accelerate innovation and minimizing cost of doing business. Recommending countries to invest and develop on AI, the study concluded by suggesting developing AI based education system and talent cultivating for the proper development and utilization of AI in this sub-continent and beyond.
Similarly by using AI, Africa can develop the representation of African languages in the technology industry. Despite Africa is home to over 2,000 languages, the representation of these African languages in technology is limited. As a result, African languages have no place in scientific researches and technological development. By deploying one-source AI models, Africa can develop the representation of African languages in the technology and scientific researches.
In developing and deploying AI, Ethiopia is investing its maximum efforts and registering a significant progress. By creating conducive environment for AI development, by establishing national institution, adopting new policy, the country turns its face in infrastructural development and training skilled human resource in the sector. As part of its efforts in developing AI, Ethiopia launched AI Summer Camp training program for the youth generation. The program started three years ago graduated third batch of trainees this summer.
Attending the graduation ceremony of the 2024 AI Summer Camp trainees of the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) stated that investing on the youth generation develops their technological potential and is cultivating tomorrow’s scientists. “You are a testament to our efforts in addressing the challenges of our country and advancing the Digital Ethiopia strategy. I trust that the 200 visionary young minds here today will turn this beginning into remarkable achievements,” PM Abiy stated during the graduation ceremony of the 200 youths of the 2024 AI Summer Camp trainees.
BY DARGIE KAHSAY
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER 2024
