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 Jacqueline Ntaka, Feature

THE world is in the throes of an AI revolution. America boasts ChatGPT, China has Deepseek, and other nations are rapidly developing their own sophisticated language models. While these advancements offer incredible potential, they also present a challenge and, more importantly, an opportunity for Africa. It is time for the continent to unite and invest in its own AI—a truly African intelligence, shaped by African data and serving African needs.

Why is this so essential? Relying solely on AI developed elsewhere carries significant risks. A primary concern is bias. AI models are trained on vast datasets, and if these datasets predominantly reflect specific regions or demographics, the resulting AI will perpetuate and amplify those biases. An AI trained primarily on Western data, for example, might struggle to accurately interpret African languages, cultural nuances, or social contexts. This could lead to skewed results in critical areas such as healthcare diagnostics, loan applications, or even criminal justice algorithms, further marginalising vulnerable communities. This cultural and contextual misalignment is a key disadvantage, as highlighted by the African Union, which notes that AI systems developed elsewhere may not accurately reflect African realities due to a lack of data incorporating African languages, cultures, and societal norms.

Data privacy is another major concern. Entrusting sensitive African data to foreign AI developers raises questions about ownership, security, and potential misuse. Who controls this data? How is it protected? Could it be exploited for commercial gain or used to influence political processes? Without an African-owned and operated AI, the continent’s data is vulnerable. This relates directly to the issue of digital sovereignty. In an increasingly digital world, control over AI infrastructure is tantamount to control over a nation’s future. By developing its own AI, Africa can ensure this powerful technology serves its own interests, fostering home-grown innovation, creating local jobs, and driving economic growth. As experts at the Deep Learning Indaba suggest, building AI by Africans for the benefit of Africans is essential for the continent’s technological independence and socio-economic progress.

An African AI offers unique opportunities to address continent-specific challenges. Imagine an AI trained on African languages, translating seamlessly between them, bridging communication gaps and fostering understanding. Consider an AI analysing local agricultural data, providing farmers with tailored advice on crop yields and pest control, or one diagnosing diseases prevalent in Africa more accurately than existing models, improving healthcare outcomes.

Developing a sophisticated AI requires significant investment in infrastructure, talent, and research. However, Africa has the potential to overcome these hurdles. The continent has a young and rapidly growing tech-savvy population, a wealth of natural resources, and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. What is needed is a concerted Pan-African initiative pooling resources, expertise, and data. This includes investing in AI research and development, building robust digital infrastructure, and fostering a supportive policy environment, as advocated by the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy and the African Digital Compact.

The growing community of AI researchers and practitioners across Africa, exemplified by gatherings such as the Deep Learning Indaba, demonstrates the continent’s potential to lead in AI innovation. By prioritising inclusive and ethical AI development, Africa can ensure its AI systems serve all its people, addressing local challenges and promoting equitable growth. This is not merely a technological imperative; it is a matter of self-determination. By building its own AI, Africa can shape its digital future, ensuring this transformative technology empowers its people, preserves its cultural heritage, and drives sustainable development. The time for action is now. Let Africa rise to the challenge and claim its place in the AI revolution. 

λ Jacqueline Ntaka is the CEO of Mviyo Technologies, a local tech company that provides custom software development, mobile applications and data analytics solutions. She can be contacted on [email protected]