Independent International Scientific Panel on AI Member Girmaw Abebe Tadesse said countries should identify the problems affecting communities before choosing the data, infrastructure and technology required. “We are trying to bring the reality of our environment and integrate AI technology with the local problems we face,” Tadesse said.
“It is important to ask ourselves what problems we want to solve first.”
Tadesse, who leads Microsoft’s AI for Good Lab in Kenya, said a problem-focused approach could help African countries direct limited resources towards technologies with clear social and economic benefits.
AI is increasingly being used in education, healthcare, agriculture, business and public services across the continent.
However, effective systems require cooperation among governments, universities, development partners, creative communities and technology companies. “When we bring together diverse stakeholders, we can use existing knowledge and wisdom to produce solutions needed by our communities,” Tadesse said.
Knowledge sharing could also help countries design systems that account for local languages, infrastructure constraints and the everyday realities communities face.
Africa’s rapidly growing young population and increasing use of technology provide an opportunity for the continent to become an important centre for AI innovation. “Many young people are already using technology to solve the challenges of their communities, while there are also investors and development partners willing to support these efforts,” Tadesse said.
The combination of young innovators, expanding technological capacity and development financing could support AI systems focused on improving public services and addressing development challenges.
However, Tadesse warned that fragmented national initiatives risked duplicating work and wasting limited resources. “There is a need for African countries to collaborate more, share experiences and learn from each other’s successes instead of each starting from scratch,” Tadesse said.
“If we work together, the future is bright. But we don’t have much time to wait.”
Tadesse said Africa’s success in AI would depend on countries setting shared priorities, building appropriate infrastructure and investing in solutions responding directly to citizens’ needs.
–UN/ChannelAfrica–
