The recent growth in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-powered technology has impacted every corner of the planet, including the African continent.
Much of the world’s AI research is aimed at the effect it will have on rich western economies as they are where most of the funding is coming from.
Yet, while Africa is set to experience profound change, too, not as much has been written about it.
Let’s take a closer look at how AI can affect the complex landscape of the world’s second-largest continent.
Widespread AI use could lead to economic disruption
While AI presents opportunities for economic growth and efficiency, it also poses potential disruptions to traditional labor markets in Africa, more so than in other parts of the world.
The adoption of AI-driven technologies could lead to the displacement of certain job roles, particularly in sectors heavily reliant on manual labor. Without proactive planning and investment in retraining programs, there is a risk of increased unemployment and income inequality, especially among low-skilled workers.
Leaders must anticipate these changes and create strategies that ensure a smooth transition, such as promoting AI skill development and supporting entrepreneurship in emerging sectors.
However, this is set to be a big challenge; not just in Africa, but all over the world.
It could widen the technological divide
Developing countries in Africa may struggle to keep pace with the rapid advancements in AI technology. The lack of infrastructure, limited access to high-speed internet, and inadequate funding for research may widen the technological divide between African nations and more advanced economies.
There’s also the question of tech regulation. Very few African nations have specific rules when it comes to monitoring online businesses compared to well-regulated economies. In the UK, for example, people are guaranteed a secure service on fintech platforms thanks to financial rules. In entertainment, they have access to top online casinos and gaming websites which are licensed by respected authorities.
This is a tough act to follow in Africa where a historic lack of investment in security makes it more possible for bad actors to exploit users via AI-powered tools designed to glean private data from them.
With fast-moving AI tech continuously altering the security landscape, this could lead to a growing disparity between Africa and well-regulated economies, widening the gap between the two.
AI systems may perpetuate biases and discrimination
The reliance of AI systems on data for training and decision-making raises concerns about biases and discrimination.
In Africa, where data gaps and biases already exist deeply, there is a risk that AI algorithms may continue or worsen existing social inequalities. If the data used to train AI models lacks diversity or reflects biased perspectives, it can lead to unfair outcomes in areas such as employment, criminal justice, and healthcare.
The way around this is to introduce diverse and representative datasets to AI algorithms and to constantly maintain them. It also means investing in training and education of human workers, so they know how to do this.
Yet, this is a big enough problem in wealthier countries where authorities are trying to work out how to do it. The UK government, for example, recently launched Logically AI, a monitoring tool aimed at monitoring algorithms to counter misinformation. However, some critics have called for drastic improvements to it.
There is a dearth of such models in African nations and the fear is that AI systems may simply lead to severely biased behavior if left unchecked.
There might be a lack of localized AI solutions
Like with social media, many AI technologies are primarily developed for Western contexts, which can neglect the specific challenges and needs of African countries.
Without AI solutions that address local issues, there is a risk of a technology transfer gap, where African nations become overly reliant on imported technologies that may not effectively tackle their unique developmental challenges.
To overcome this, it will be important to promote research and development of AI solutions that are contextually relevant, culturally sensitive, and in line with local priorities.
Encouraging innovation and supporting the growth of local AI ecosystems can lead to homegrown solutions that work for specific African user needs.
We could see an AI brain drain
What happens when talented workers don’t find the opportunities they need in their home countries? They go abroad.
Building a skilled workforce capable of developing and managing AI technologies is essential for harnessing its benefits. However, African countries may face a significant skills gap in AI-related fields due to limited educational opportunities and the phenomenon of brain drain, where talented individuals seek better opportunities abroad.
To address this challenge, African authorities must make investments in education and training programs and collaborate with international institutions to create ways to retain local talent. Failure to do so could lead to a loss of AI expertise on the continent.
It’s not all bad news…
African nations face significant challenges in handling the advancement of AI with the above points all being critical issues that need to be addressed. However, it’s not all bad news.
African leaders have the chance to plan for a smooth transition by investing in AI solutions and collaborating with other nations. By doing so, they can harness the potential benefits of AI while minimizing its negative impacts.
Any Africa country that can make a success of this new technology will find that it has a big opportunity to make huge strides on the international scene.