Building a Safe Future for Artificial Intelligence in Africa

The potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa is immense, with its ability to simulate human thought and communication offering numerous opportunities for societal advancement. However, the excitement surrounding AI is tempered by concerns about its misuse, which could have negative consequences for humanity. As the continent grapples with these dual aspects, there is a growing call for balanced AI regulations that can both harness its transformative potential and safeguard against risks.

AI has already demonstrated its potential to improve lives across Africa. One notable example is the ‘Flood Hub’ developed at Google’s Africa Research Centre in Ghana. This AI-powered tool accurately predicted floods in South Africa’s Western Cape, providing advanced flood warnings in 23 African countries and beyond. This tool showcases how AI can enhance disaster preparedness and help mitigate the impact of climate-related events. Similarly, in rural Africa, smallholder farmers are utilizing AI-powered apps to combat crop pests and adapt to changing climate conditions. Apps like PlantVillage enable farmers to detect plant diseases early, thereby improving agricultural resilience and boosting food security.

Despite these promising examples, Africa still faces significant challenges in fully adopting and benefiting from AI technologies, particularly in comparison to the Global North. Research ICT Africa’s policy brief highlights the need for an enabling environment that addresses these disparities and ensures AI adoption is safe and inclusive. The brief calls for robust regulatory frameworks that mitigate risks, hold AI providers accountable, and safeguard against issues such as algorithmic bias, misuse of technology, and lack of transparency in AI systems. These frameworks should mandate disclosure of algorithms for high-risk systems, ensuring that they are accountable and that their deployment does not harm society.

Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, Mr. Philip Thigo, who is also a member of the United Nations Secretary-General’s advisory board on AI, has emphasized the importance of embracing AI’s potential while prioritizing safety and inclusion. Thigo advocates for a digital future where emerging technologies like AI are developed and deployed in ways that ensure they are safe, secure, and inclusive. He underscores the need to address issues such as digital abuse, disinformation, and online hacking, which remain significant challenges in the digital age. For Thigo, success in AI adoption should be measured by how effectively it contributes to creating a safe and trustworthy digital environment, where the technology serves the needs of all citizens.

Despite this optimism about AI’s potential, experts like Landry Signé, co-chair of the World Economic Forum’s Regional Action Group for Africa, caution that Africa is falling behind in both AI investment and regulation. He notes that even leaders in Silicon Valley admit that there is no universally agreed-upon model for governing AI, given its rapid evolution. Signé believes that Africa must prioritize strategies that leverage AI’s transformative potential rather than focusing solely on its risks. He stresses that AI can play a vital role in addressing the continent’s most pressing challenges, such as poverty, healthcare, and education. While acknowledging the risks associated with AI, such as cybersecurity threats, misinformation, and biases, Signé calls for a more balanced approach that also recognizes the technology’s potential for positive change.

The debate over how to regulate AI is ongoing. While some fear that excessive regulations could stifle innovation, others advocate for well-thought-out policies that strike a balance between fostering innovation and protecting society from potential harms. In June 2024, African ICT Ministers took a significant step forward by endorsing the Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and African Digital Compact. This strategy envisions substantial investments in Africa’s youth, innovators, computer scientists, data experts, and AI researchers, positioning the continent to be a global leader in AI development.

Ultimately, Africa’s future with AI will depend on its ability to strike the right balance between regulation and innovation. The continent must ensure that AI’s deployment drives shared prosperity and addresses its development challenges while also protecting against the potential risks associated with the technology. By fostering a balanced approach to AI governance, Africa can unlock the full potential of this transformative technology, ensuring that it benefits all sectors of society and contributes to sustainable economic growth and social progress.