The African Union AI Continental Strategy: Examining the African AI Landscape

The discussion, moderated by Gregory C Allen, delves into the African Union's AI strategy and the burgeoning AI sector across Africa. Barbara Glover from the African Union Development Agency outlines the continental strategy's focus on responsible AI, capacity building, infrastructure, data governance, and sustainable partnerships. Panelists from various sectors discuss the unique AI applications in Africa, emphasizing the importance of local context and the potential for AI to address challenges in healthcare, agriculture, and financial inclusion. They also highlight the need for international collaboration that respects African sovereignty and fosters local innovation.

Takeaways

• 📈 The African Union is actively developing an AI Continental Strategy to guide the responsible and beneficial use of AI across the continent.
• 🌟 Key objectives of the strategy include defining responsible AI, strengthening policy-making capacity, and addressing misconceptions about AI technologies.
• 💡 The African Union Development Agency is focusing on science, technology, and innovation to achieve Agenda 2063, with a specific Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA-2024).
• 🔍 The AI strategy has six pillars: human capital development, infrastructure and data foundations, enabling environment for AI, AI economy, sustainable partnerships, and monitoring and evaluation.
• 🤝 There is a push for international collaboration and investment in African AI, with an emphasis on local context and needs, as well as youth involvement.
• 🏥 AI applications in healthcare, such as diagnostics and telemedicine, are seen as crucial for addressing infrastructure challenges and improving access to medical services.
• 📚 Educational systems in Africa may need overhauling to prepare the workforce for AI integration, with a focus on tertiary education and research lab funding.
• 🌐 Data governance and protection are critical components of the AI strategy, ensuring ethical use and respect for citizens' rights.
• 💼 The private sector, particularly in fintech and agritech, is leveraging AI to enhance business competitiveness and address sector-specific challenges.
• 📉 Challenges such as unreliable energy grids and the need for reliable internet connectivity are acknowledged, with calls for infrastructure development to support AI adoption.
• 🌱 There is a recognized need for African countries to move from being mere data providers to active innovators in AI, creating locally relevant solutions and ensuring the technology serves the African context.

Q & A

What is the role of the African Union Development Agency in the context of the African AI strategy?

The African Union Development Agency is responsible for coordinating and executing priority regional and continental projects, strengthening the capacity of African Union member states, advancing knowledge-based advisory support, undertaking resource mobilization for priority programs, and serving as a technical interface with development partners and stakeholders.

What are the three major components identified by the African Union Development Agency for the science policy and innovation nexus?

The three major components are science policy and enablers, technology platforms for testing recommended technologies and innovations, and the 'Energize Africa' initiative focusing on youth and ensuring that science, innovation, and emerging technology efforts support African youth.

Why is science, technology, and innovation high on Africa's agenda?

Science, technology, and innovation are high on Africa's agenda because they are recognized as key drivers for the continent's 50-year blueprint, Agenda 2063. The African Union has developed a 10-year blueprint called the Science, Technology, and Innovation Strategy for Africa (STISA 2024) to achieve these goals.

What are the six pillars of the African Union's Continental Strategy for Artificial Intelligence?

The six pillars are human capital development for AI, infrastructure and data foundations, enabling environment for AI, AI economy, building sustainable partnerships, and monitoring and evaluation.

How does the African Union ensure that the AI strategy reflects various perspectives and is representative of African voices?

The African Union High-Level Panel on Emerging Technologies includes adequate representation in terms of gender, regional allocations, Africans in the diaspora, and other recognized experts. This ensures that every recommendation reflects diverse perspectives and is representative of African voices.

What are some of the objectives of the African Union's dialogues on artificial intelligence?

The objectives include advancing responsible AI, defining what responsible AI looks like in an African policy interface, ensuring that AI technologies are ethical, transparent, and accountable, strengthening the capacity of policymakers and decision-makers, and addressing misconceptions about AI.

What is the current state of AI in the African continent, and what opportunities and challenges does it face?

AI in Africa is being used to solve infrastructure challenges, particularly in healthcare and finance, and to improve business competitiveness. Challenges include the need for capacity building, overhauling educational systems, and addressing the potential for job displacement by AI. Opportunities lie in leveraging AI for socioeconomic development, financial inclusion, and agricultural advancements.

How does the African Union's AI strategy address the issue of data governance and protection?

The AI strategy includes a data governance framework that addresses the rights and protection of citizens' data. It ensures that the use of data in AI systems is done responsibly and ethically, in line with societal norms and laws.

What steps are being taken to develop the next 10-year Science, Technology, and Innovation strategy for Africa?

The African Union is engaging in stakeholder consultations, incorporating discussions from various frameworks, and ensuring that the new strategy talks to each other and moves in one direction for the continent. They are also looking at the priorities and targets for science, technology, and innovation to meet the aspirations within the 50-year blueprint.

How does the African Union Development Agency work with development partners, private sector, and regional economic communities?

The agency serves as an interface with development partners, private sector, regional economic communities, countries, and specialized institutions and agencies. It conducts research, engages relevant partners, and provides necessary information to support decision-making structures in the development of policies and innovations around science and technology.

What is the role of the AI for Development (AI4D) policy network in shaping the African Union's AI strategy?

The AI4D policy network is involved in policy research around AI, ensuring that every recommendation from the African Union's work is backed by evidence and existing research. This network helps in addressing myths and misconceptions about AI and guides policy recommendations.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to African Union AI Strategy

The panel discussion is introduced by Gregory C Allen, who is the director of the Wadwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies. The session focuses on the African Union's AI strategy and developments in the AI sector across Africa. Barbara Glover, a program officer at the African Union, provides an update on the AI strategy, discussing the African Union Development Agency's role in supporting development across the continent, including coordinating regional and continental projects, strengthening capacity, advancing knowledge-based advisory support, resource mobilization, and serving as a technical interface with development partners.

05:00

📈 African Union Development Agency's Mandates and AI Strategy

Barbara Glover outlines the African Union Development Agency's five mandates, emphasizing the importance of a knowledge-driven approach through research and stakeholder consultations. The ongoing work around Artificial Intelligence on the continent is presented, including the African Union's strategy for science, technology, and innovation. Glover discusses the structure of decision-making and implementation within the African Union system and the establishment of the African Union high-level panel on emerging technologies. The panel's objectives are to advance responsible AI, strengthen policy-maker capacity, and address misconceptions about AI.

10:01

🌐 Continental Strategy for Artificial Intelligence

The Continental Strategy for artificial intelligence is detailed, with six pillars identified as key areas of focus. These include human capital development, infrastructure and data foundations, enabling environment for AI, AI economy, sustainable partnerships, and monitoring and evaluation. Glover discusses the importance of active engagement with various stakeholders, including the private sector, civil society, and international partners, to gather diverse insights and strengthen the AI strategy for Africa.

15:03

🤝 International Partnerships and Collaboration

The panelists discuss the importance of international partnerships and collaboration in the development and implementation of the African Union's AI strategy. They emphasize the need for African countries to engage with global discussions on AI while addressing unique regional challenges. The panelists also highlight the importance of involving various sectors, including the private sector, academia, and civil society, in shaping the AI policy and regulations.

20:04

💼 Private Sector Perspective on AI in Africa

Sheila Chima, a partner at Nisk Capital, provides insights into the private sector's perspective on AI in Africa. She discusses the use of AI to address infrastructure challenges, particularly in healthcare, and to improve business competitiveness. Examples include the application of AI in diagnostics, telemedicine, and financial technology, emphasizing the need for local context and data ownership in AI solutions.

25:06

🏛️ Academic and Educational Sector's Role in AI Development

NE London SOA, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, discusses the role of academia and the educational sector in AI development. He highlights research efforts in AI, particularly in language translation and the creation of large language models for local languages. The importance of student engagement with AI for capstone projects and the use of AI in educational assessments are also discussed.

30:07

🌟 Opportunities and Challenges in AI for Africa

The panelists explore the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for Africa. They discuss the potential of AI to solve localized challenges, such as healthcare diagnostics and financial inclusion, and the need for responsible and ethical AI development. The conversation also touches on the importance of government support in creating a conducive environment for AI innovation and the role of international investors in promoting AI in Africa.

35:08

🌱 Agricultural Innovation and AI

The discussion shifts to the potential of AI in the agricultural sector, with examples of companies using AI for rice farming and optimizing public transportation. The panelists emphasize the importance of understanding and leveraging local data to create AI solutions that are tailored to the African context and have a meaningful impact on the ground.

40:10

🤔 Government Involvement in Promoting AI Investment

Sheila Chima, as a presidential appointee to the Kenyan National Investment Council, discusses the role of government in promoting investment in AI. She highlights the need for governments to support local innovation, provide incentives for infrastructure development, and facilitate access to technology for local researchers. The importance of aligning government support with the local context and needs is emphasized.

45:11

🎓 Workforce Development in AI

The panelists discuss the importance of workforce development in AI, emphasizing the need for improving education systems and increasing opportunities for AI research and development within Africa. They also discuss the role of international partnerships in supporting AI talent development and the importance of equitable participation in STEM fields.

50:13

🌍 International Engagement in African AI

The panelists share their perspectives on effective international engagement in African AI, emphasizing the need for localization and context-aware approaches. They discuss the importance of international partners understanding local needs and collaborating on mutually beneficial terms. The conversation also touches on the role of advocacy in increasing AI awareness among the general public in Africa.

55:14

📚 Conclusion and Future of African AI Policy

The panel discussion concludes with a summary of the key points and insights shared by the panelists. They highlight the importance of the African Union AI strategy, the need for local context in AI solutions, and the potential for AI to address unique challenges in Africa. The panelists also emphasize the importance of continued international engagement and support for the development of AI in Africa.

Keywords

💡AI Continental Strategy

The AI Continental Strategy refers to the African Union's plan to guide the development and implementation of artificial intelligence across the African continent. It is designed to be a comprehensive framework that addresses various aspects such as human capital development, infrastructure, ethical considerations, and economic growth through AI. In the script, it is discussed how this strategy aims to advance responsible AI, strengthen policy-making capacity, and address misconceptions about AI technologies within the African context.

💡Human Capital Development

Human Capital Development in the context of the video refers to the African Union's focus on building the skills, knowledge, and capacities of individuals to prepare them for the future where AI plays a significant role. It involves education system overhauls, retooling, and reskilling to adapt to changes brought about by AI. The script mentions this as the first pillar of their strategy, emphasizing the need for capacity building and strengthening within the African settings.

💡Infrastructure and Data

Infrastructure and Data pertain to the technological and systemic foundations required to support AI systems. This includes energy needs, data centers, and data governance frameworks. The script highlights these as critical for the African continent to be at par with global AI developments and to ensure that AI technologies are viable and effective for African economies.

💡Enabling Environment for AI

An Enabling Environment for AI refers to the policy, regulatory, and legislative structures that support the development and ethical use of AI. The script discusses how the African Union is looking at creating a conducive environment for AI, which includes understanding the need for regulatory sandbox approaches and reflecting various societal norms and expectations in AI regulations.

💡AI Economy

The AI Economy focuses on the economic implications and opportunities of AI, including investments and the potential benefits of AI for economic growth. The script talks about the need to argue for the cost of not investing in AI and the importance of identifying immediate returns on AI investments while also considering long-term socio-economic dividends.

💡Sustainable Partnerships

Sustainable Partnerships are alliances that are built to support the multi-sectorial nature of AI, ensuring that AI development is inclusive and considers global perspectives without losing sight of the unique challenges and priorities of the African continent. The script emphasizes the importance of these partnerships in the context of global discussions around AI.

💡Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring and Evaluation involve the systematic assessment of the impact of AI strategies and policies to ensure they are effective and meet the intended objectives. The script mentions this as a critical component of the African Union's strategy, aiming to have a living document that is constantly updated in response to the rapid pace of technological development.

💡Responsible AI

Responsible AI is a concept that encapsulates the ethical, transparent, and accountable development and use of AI technologies. It is highlighted in the script as a primary objective of the African Union's strategy, which includes defining what responsible AI looks like within an African policy context and ensuring AI technologies align with societal norms and legal frameworks.

💡Capacity Strengthening

Capacity Strengthening refers to the process of enhancing the abilities of policy makers and decision-makers to effectively deal with AI technologies. The script discusses the importance of this for African Union member states to utilize AI technologies more effectively, in partnership with the private sector and innovators.

💡Data Governance Framework

A Data Governance Framework is a set of policies, rules, and processes that govern the management, usage, and protection of data within an organization or at a national level. The script refers to the African Union's data governance framework and its role in harnessing technologies like AI while protecting the rights of citizens.

💡Digital Readiness Index

The Digital Readiness Index is a tool being developed to evaluate and enhance the preparedness of African nations for AI adoption. It is mentioned in the script as part of the African Union's efforts to facilitate targeted development efforts and resource allocation, ensuring that nations are adequately prepared for the integration of AI.

Highlights

Gregory C Allen, director of the Wadwani Center for AI, discusses the African Union AI strategy and AI developments across Africa.

Barbara Glover, a program officer at the African Union, provides an update on the African Union's AI strategy.

The African Union Development Agency has five mandates focusing on development across the continent, including science, technology, and innovation.

The African Union's work on AI includes three major components: science policy and enablers, technology platforms, and the 'Energize Africa' initiative.

The African Union has recognized the importance of science, technology, and innovation in achieving their 50-year blueprint, Agenda 2063.

The African Union high-level panel on emerging technologies aims to advance responsible AI, strengthen policy-making capacity, and address misconceptions about AI.

The Continental strategy for artificial intelligence includes six pillars: human capital development, infrastructure and data, enabling environment, AI economy, sustainable partnerships, and monitoring and evaluation.

The African Union is engaging various stakeholders, including private sector, civil society, and international partners, to gather diverse insights into the AI strategy.

Sheila Chima discusses the private sector perspective on AI in East Africa, focusing on infrastructure challenges and business competitiveness.

Nilan Denoa, a senior lecturer at the University of Ghana, talks about AI research in academia, focusing on language translation and large language models.

Chinasa Okolo, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, provides insights on the AI strategy level and national government level developments in AI policy.

The African Union AI strategy aims to create a digital platform for AI strategies in Africa, including foundational AI concepts, guidelines, and sector-specific strategies.

The panelists emphasize the need for localization and consideration of the African context in the development and implementation of AI technologies.

Investment in AI on the African continent is growing, with international investors looking for opportunities that address local challenges and have regional impact.

The African Union AI strategy highlights the importance of partnerships and international collaboration while ensuring that local needs and priorities are met.

The panelists call for more advocacy and education about AI to reach the masses in Africa, beyond just tech enthusiasts and policymakers.

Effective international involvement in Africa's AI sector should be thoughtful, localized, and aligned with the continent's economic development goals.