By: Nada Nassar

Introduction

On the 26th of September 2024, the Global Network of Centers held a webinar titled “AI in Africa: Preparing the Path for Regional Conversations” where panelists discussed the ways in which AI is being used in Africa. The conversation brought together experts from across the continent including Laeticia Nneka Onyejegbu, Professor of Computer Science at the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria, and Raymond S. Mamattah, the Founder and President of the E-Governance and Internet Governance Foundation for Africa (EGIGFA) in Ghana.

The insightful dialogue involved a discussion on the implementation of AI in Africa, the different public policies being adopted to support the development in AI and new technologies, in addition to ensuring that both the technologies and policies consider responsible AI practices and guidelines.

Regional AI Strategies and the African Union’s Continental AI Strategy

While several countries on the continent have created national AI strategies with the goal of setting guidelines for the responsible use and governance of AI, Mamattah highlighted that Ghana does not currently have an AI strategy or framework, and that the government in Ghana is currently not keen on drafting AI regulations at the moment. However, smaller scale initiatives related to AI exist, in addition to conversations happening on a parliamentary level. While there is no AI strategy in place at the moment specifically for Ghana, Mamattah emphasized the importance of the recently released Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy by the African Union as a guide for responsible AI practices for all countries on the continent. The continental strategy serves as an example of an initiative made for Africa specifically that aims to address AI governance in the region while taking into account our unique context, needs and culture.

On Responsible AI

Onyejegbu stressed that while we may be eager to implement AI across Africa, it is important to understand that AI is a process that requires time. As the world rushes to continue developing and implementing AI technologies in various sectors, it is important to ensure that these technologies are being implemented in a responsible manner, while considering the key aspects of responsible and ethical AI, such as privacy, transparency and accountability. In order to catch up with the developments happening across the world, we must accept and embrace the changes that AI has introduced, however it is important that African countries have robust AI governance frameworks put in place. Several African countries have already started releasing AI frameworks and policies, and in Onyejegbu’s country, Nigeria, a draft national AI strategy was released in August 2024, with the aim of mapping the AI landscape in Nigeria while also proposing strategies for responsible use and governance of AI.

Role of Academia and Scholars

On the topic of the role of academia in the implementation of AI technologies and the development of responsible AI frameworks in Africa, Mamattah stressed that academics and scholars have a key role to play in education and public awareness. The public must be aware of the benefits of AI beyond the popular uses such as generative AI. AI has the potential to transform the way we live when utilized properly and the public must be informed on the various uses of AI in order to build trust and to facilitate the integration of AI into our societies. AI education is particularly important within secondary schools and universities, as the young population must learn how to use and innovate new technologies. There is also a need for more research and data collection in order to support innovation.

Global Collaboration

When asked how the Global Network of Centers can continue supporting the developments happening in Africa, Onyejegbu emphasized the importance of fully localized AI solutions and technologies regardless of who the collaborators are. Technologies implemented in Africa must be created by Africans in order to ensure that our unique context, needs and cultural sensitivities are taken into consideration. We know our countries best. In addition, global collaborators should prioritize the strengthening of infrastructure, provide capacity building opportunities, as well as promote inclusive AI in order to address the needs of marginalized communities. Mamattah added that partnerships need to involve African governments as well, since they are responsible for tangible change. In addition, since funding acts as a key challenge for African countries, global collaborators including the Network of Centers can help fund AI innovation and research to help develop the field of AI across the continent.

AI is here to stay and it is imperative that the African continent continues to make strides towards engaging and catching up with the rest of the world. While global collaboration is important, change must come from within, and it is key that we work together to ensure that initiatives and technologies are not imposed on our continent, rather created by our own.