What does the future hold for artificial intelligence in Africa?
If you type that question into the AI platform ChatGPT, the answer is that it has “enormous potential to have a transformative impact across a variety of sectors,” including healthcare, agriculture, and education, among others.
Human experts tend to agree, and AI is becoming the latest frontier in U.S.-China competition on the continent.
“To advance AI research and innovation, African countries will need significant investments in computing infrastructure,” said Chinasa T. Okoro, a fellow at the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution. “The United States and China could be good partners to support these efforts.”
Researchers predict that AI companies will run out of data in English and Western languages in the coming years, but that's not the case in Africa, where more data is still needed, Okoro said.
“Companies from AI superpowers such as the US and China can therefore invest in Africa and gain valuable data that can be used to build services and systems that can be sold back to African countries,” he said.
AI promotion in South Africa
One of the countries on the African continent that is rapidly advancing AI is South Africa.
At a government summit on AI in April, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Mondli Gungubele said, “The era of generative AI has just begun, and as a country and a continent, we cannot and must not be left behind.'' It must not be done.” . ”
South Africa has already established the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa (AIISA) and has deployed 'hubs' at universities across the country. Ministry of Communications and Digital Technologies spokesperson Hitekani Magwese said it was created to ensure the country's industries and sectors benefit from AI.
“Through AIISA, we are currently building AI hubs in manufacturing and services, agriculture and farming, automotive and transportation, military and defence,” Magwese told VOA, adding that there are many more. He said he is planning a field.
“South Africa has global partnerships with major G20 and BRICS countries such as the United States and China,” he said. “These major countries see South Africa as a gateway to the challenges of Africa and the developing world.”
Mr Mageweze said AI could solve unemployment, inequality and poverty in the country.
Tshwane University of Technology will launch a new AI Career Tech Center in May in collaboration with US technology giant Intel.
“The National AI Hub is partnering with strong partners in the international community to achieve the AI Institute's objectives,” said Anish Kurien, acting director of the university's AIISA Hub.
Earlier this month, the South African Department of Defense launched a Defense Artificial Intelligence Research Unit at the country's military academy.
“We need African solutions to African challenges, and AI is the technology that will enable African challenges. [Fourth Industrial Revolution] It will play a role in solving many of the social problems facing our beloved continent,” Wayne Dalton, deputy director of the new research unit, told VOA.
Asked about U.S.-China involvement, Dalton said, “South Africa's AI strategy and goals are still in their infancy,” adding, “There will be many opportunities for the U.S. and China to help achieve these goals.” ” he said.
South Africa's increased focus on AI comes at a time when public opinion toward China is rising and public opinion toward the United States is slightly declining, according to a new Gallup report released in April.
Okoro said public opinion trends do not necessarily apply to cooperation in the field of AI, and African countries will partner with parties that can provide the most value.
“While the U.S. government has provided significant aid to African countries, China has taken a different approach by leading infrastructure investment. Infrastructure investment will continue to increase as African countries seek to strengthen their communications and data infrastructure,” he said. “It's going to become increasingly important.”
China and US interests
The US is already investing in AI in Africa. Silicon Valley giant Google has opened its first AI lab in Ghana, and IBM has research facilities in Kenya and South Africa.
At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Summit in Nairobi last month, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced a partnership that will allow U.S. companies to invest in Kenyan AI and data centers.
Lisa Walker, managing director of African operations at Prosper Africa, a U.S. government trade initiative, said the organization is developing partnerships under U.S. President Joe Biden's digital transformation strategy with Africa. told VOA.
“Prosper Africa launched the Africa Tech for Trade Alliance in April last year, which currently includes companies such as Google, AWS, Intel, Cisco Systems, Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, UPS, DHL, FedEx, etc. ,” she said.
China has also shown interest in AI in Africa. For more than a decade, China has been investing in the continent's internet infrastructure and connectivity through President Xi Jinping's Belt and Road Initiative.
In April, the China-Africa Internet Development Cooperation Forum was held in Xiamen, a coastal city in southeastern China, and was attended by representatives from about 20 African countries.
“Africa is an important participant in the advancement of science and technology. The development and application of AI is of great importance to developing countries, including China and African countries,” Liu Pengyu, a spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, told VOA. he said.
Regarding the U.S.-China competition in the AI field, Liu said, “China will continue to communicate, exchange, and engage in practical cooperation with all parties, including Africa and the United States, regarding the global governance of AI, so that AI will always develop in the global direction.'' I would like to continue doing so.'' human civilization and progress. ”
Liu said that in a meeting in San Francisco last year and a recent phone call, Chinese and U.S. leaders agreed to boost cooperation in the field of AI. Liu added that the two countries will soon hold the first intergovernmental dialogue on AI.
Prosper Africa's Walker took a different view when asked about the U.S.-China competition, saying American companies have “unparalleled brand value.”
“A focus on mutual growth, local job creation, and shared prosperity continues to differentiate U.S. tech companies from their international competitors,” she said.
However, Okoro, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, is more pessimistic about U.S.-China involvement in Africa.
“We have seen growing interest in Africa from the United States and China, and it is honestly difficult to say how interested these countries are in working with African countries in particular to drive AI innovation. I think so,” Okoro said. “While American and Chinese researchers often collaborate on academic AI research, these countries themselves are also vying to be leaders in the 'AI race.'
Last year, the United States was the leading source of top computer programs, known as AI models, with 61 compared to China's 15, according to the recently released AI Index report from Stanford University's Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. However, it turns out that China is in the lead. When it comes to AI patents, it accounts for 61.1% of the world total, but the United States only accounts for 20% of her.
