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However, continent needs to prioritise AI education and governance to achieve this, report says
Africa could be at the forefront of artificial intelligence globally due to its youthful, multicultural workforce, but only if AI education and governance are prioritised, a report argues.
The June 2024 report, titled “AI and the Future of Work in Africa”, was compiled by academic and industry experts representing tech giant Microsoft, the University of Pretoria, the African Union Development Agency, African AI startup Lelapa AI and Oxford University in the United Kingdom.
“Africa’s rapidly growing population and vibrant tech ecosystem provide significant opportunities, particularly through the emergence of startups, tech hubs and collaborative projects that drive digital transformation,” the report states.
“By proactively addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities, Africa can leverage AI to drive economic growth, empower its workforce, and become a leader in socially responsible AI development,” it says.
‘Africa-centric’ AI
However, the report goes on to say that the continent must cultivate its own talent in AI research, innovation and design, as well as AI policy and governance for Africa to significantly contribute to the AI economy.
The report urges investments to target “Africa-centric” data and platforms to ensure that new AI tools complement human skills, rather than replace them.
AI tools that are not tailored to unique African socio-economic contexts could result in a “potential dystopian future”, it says, where such technologies would exacerbate inequalities rather than levelling them up.
Generative AI, such as chatbots like ChatGPT, need to be pursued in an equitable way that considers not just what data is collected and curated, and by whom, but also how it is used, the report says.
“The methods and algorithms created in building models to reflect such concerns are likely to be globally relevant and beneficial,” it adds.
Inclusive policies
The report—dubbed a white paper by its authors—argues that technical skills in areas such as computer science, machine learning and engineering must be consolidated.
Legal, ethical, social and policy perspectives are needed to “build AI which enhances human work and creativity”, it adds.
National and regional AI policies must also be crafted to ensure inclusive education and worker protections, it says.
“The involvement of youth, community leaders, academics and business leaders is critical in developing inclusive and relevant AI policies for Africa,” it says.