Africa’s most important conversation at the moment is: What does a truly African Artificial Intelligence Future look like? AI in Africa could unlock new levels of productivity for healthcare, agriculture and education.
Although Africa only represents 2.5% of theglobal AI market, its innovations are expected make an economic impact and could contribute $2.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030. Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and other countries are leading the way in applying AI to local issues, such as interpreting indigenous language and boosting crop production. Ade-Ibijola insists that progress must be grounded in realism.
He said that the adoption of AI would likely create a “two-tiered” reality. Urban centers such as Johannesburg and Kigali, will benefit from AI-powered mobiles, virtual reality and other cutting-edge technology. Rural areas, which often lack basic infrastructure such as electricity, are at risk of being left behind.
He believes that AI benefits will be concentrated among a select few without infrastructure, affordability and intent. It is also important to consider building ethical, unbiased AI system as well as datasets which reflect Africa’s historical and cultural nuances. This interview has been edited to make it more concise and clear. How do you see AI affecting industries, societies and everyday life in Africa in the next decade?
Artificial Intelligence is here to remain, and it will have a profound impact across many sectors. AI, for example, has the potential to revolutionise healthcare diagnostics and treatments. We must, however, address the affordability issue. While AI-driven surgery might offer greater precision we risk widening a gap between those who are able to afford such advanced care, and those who are not. This existing socioeconomic divide is an important factor to consider when we integrate AI.
In agricultural drones equipped with irrigation systems and sensors can optimise crop management and reduce reliance on pesticides. We can also imagine robotic systems performing tasks such as tilling and planting to increase efficiency and productivity.
Another area that is ripe for AI integration is education. AI-powered tools are able to generate personalised learning plans and provide language translations of complex concepts. They can also facilitate self-paced education. While robotics in classrooms, especially at the university level is still in its infancy, we could see AI-driven facilitators on the scene in the future.
The manufacturing industry is already heavily dependent on AI. This can be seen in the automated production lines of Japan and China. In Africa, we’re beginning to see a similar trend, with automated ordering systems at fast-food chains, and robots delivering food in hotels. These advances, while exciting, raise concern about job displacement. What happens to the workforce if petrol stations and retail shops become fully automated?
The adoption AI will likely create two different realities. Urban centers such as Johannesburg and Kigali, will benefit from AI-powered mobiles, virtual reality and other cutting edge technologies. Rural areas, which often lack basic infrastructure, such as electricity, are at risk of being left behind. We must act now to prevent this gap between “haves” vs “have-nots”.
While the excitement around AI is undeniable we must also be aware of its societal implications. We must focus on ensuring equitable access and addressing the potential for increased inequalities. We must ensure that the benefits of these transformative technologies are shared by everyone, not just a few, as we embrace them. What cultural or social values should guide AI development in Africa
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The cultural and societal values which should guide AI development in Africa are inclusivity and accessibility. Many of our people in rural areas, especially those who are underprivileged, still live in conditions similar to the Second Industrial Revolution. Some people still use charcoal irons, and others do not have access to electricity, TV, or the Internet.
We often talk about AI from an urban perspective. However, these technologies need to reach those living in remote areas if they are to improve their lives. Imagine a medical app powered by AI on a smartphone. If we provided phones to villages, and made sure the app worked in their local language, it could act like a “doctor” on their phone. This app could offer a preliminary diagnosis, recommend a doctor nearby, or even suggest safe native remedies when appropriate.
In order to make this possible, we will need solar energy or lithium battery solutions to power these devices. This approach ensures AI benefits everyone, not just urban population.
It is important to be deliberate about addressing inequality. This means bringing technology to underserved areas – whether it’s installing solar panels, providing devices or even deploying mobile tech centers with laptops to allow young people to interact and learn about advanced technologies.
These projects can inspire innovation and allow children to imagine their future roles as tech developers. It is important to continue education for children and parents. If building schools is not possible immediately, we can organize trips or open days to expose children to new ideas.
We must use our data to feed into our AI systems, rather than perpetuate global inequalities. By aligning AI to African values such as Ubuntu and ensuring equal access, we can create technology that reflects our cultural heritage and promotes social responsibility. What are the challenges in building ethical, unbiased AI systems in Africa
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AI is built on data. AI cannot function without large datasets or big data. The machine uses this data to learn patterns and make decisions. As humans, our data reflects this.
Take a look at the unfiltered content that is available on platforms such as X. It’s filled with profanity and political criticism. If an AI is taught on this data, then it will learn and copy these behaviors. It is for this reason that discussions about ethical AI and unbiased AI have become so important. We must be deliberate about how we approach training and data.
We can use two primary strategies. Firstly, we can curate the data and clean it before training the AI. Second, we can train AI using unfiltered data while providing it with explicit guidelines for ethical behavior. We can, for example, feed it examples of polite and impolite communication, allowing it the ability to discern appropriate communication.
We must acknowledge that AI will reflect the biases and data of its creators. We must address the issue of harmful biases, such as AI misidentifying individuals. In these cases, we must implement rules to prevent these incorrect classifications. Instead of using offensive labels, AI should simply indicate that “face not recognized”. We can also refine AI output at the inference level. We can correct the AI if it misclassifies the cat as a hound by teaching it the correct patterns.
We need to provide AI with large datasets that contain these elements if we want it to be relevant in African contexts. For example, we can teach it to recognise African artifacts, clothing or medicinal plants. Unfortunately, these datasets currently are scarce. We must actively build repositories to include African stories, perspectives, knowledge systems, and more. This includes our educational systems, medicinal practices, and even our traditional numbering systems. By incorporating these rich cultural data, AI can be contextualised for Africa.
What are the best ways to regulate AI while encouraging innovation?
In the past, excessive regulation often stifled innovation, but a total lack of oversight can lead to unexpected and potentially dangerous outcomes. Policymakers are often lacking the technical expertise needed to fully understand these technologies’ capabilities and potential dangers.
Effective AI regulations require a collaborative approach that brings together government officials, AI specialists, industry professionals, manufacturers, and others. This roundtable discussion will allow for the creation and implementation of informed policies.
African policy must be communicated to public, educating them about the potential risks and benefits of AI and related technology, outlining ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’, in a clear, accessible manner.
We need to remain vigilant and adjust regulations as necessary to address new challenges and avoid loopholes. Regulations that are too strict will hinder innovation, while those that are too lax will leave us open to abuse.
AI requires careful regulation and Africa must actively engage in these discussions. They must ensure that policies are developed collaboratively, comprehensively, while anticipating possible threats and creating robust frames to safeguard our society. What are the opportunities for African institutions in leading global AI research?
The priority should be to meet existing standards. It is evident that we must focus on catching-up rather than leading. China’s advances with tools such as DeepSeek demonstrate the level of global competition.
Africa’s leadership has struggled in many areas in the past, and it may be unrealistic to expect Africa to lead in AI. We should instead ask whether AI will help us leapfrog over development challenges and improve the standing of our country from a lower to a more competitive level.
Firstly, we need to invest in infrastructure, such as servers and training programs. Second, we need to overhaul our educational system. Our educational systems are outdated and too theoretical. We need to start training in practical skills as early as the primary school. Third, social discipline is essential. Drug addiction and the negative impact of social media are issues that must be addressed. Correctional facilities, for example, could focus on rehabilitation by using technology training. Prisoners can learn programming skills and contribute to technological innovation while serving their sentences. This approach would offer redemption opportunities while reducing costs. Our youth require guidance and discipline in order to prevent long-term social issues.
