Elizabeth Pansu, Kumasi
Telecommunications engineering expert, Professor Jerry John Kponyo, has stressed the need for the country to strategically position itself to maximise the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) while minimising its adverse effects.
Speaking at the Ghana Data Science Summit held at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Kumasi, Prof. Kponyo said AI is a game changer, driving the fourth industrial revolution and transforming the economy in agriculture, healthcare, energy, finance and business.
Professor Kuponyo, who also serves as scientific director of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (RAIL), acknowledged concerns about the negative effects of AI, but advocated harnessing the positive aspects of AI while preventing them.
He then commended Ghana's AI Strategy (2023-2033), citing Rwanda's successful implementation as a model, and urged rapid action to implement it.
Prof. Kponyo further stressed the importance of creating Afrocentric datasets, making AI accessible to all and ensuring AI systems are built responsibly and with unbiased data.
He stressed that countries must recognize the transformative potential of AI and plan to intentionally harness its benefits to drive economic growth and sustainable development.
“By harnessing the positive aspects of AI and preventing its negative aspects, Ghana can position itself for economic growth, improved healthcare and sustainable development. With a clear strategy and collaborative effort, Ghana can unlock the potential of AI to drive progress and innovation while mitigating the risks,” Professor Kponyo said.
Mr. Delali Agbenyega, Senior Data Science Lead at the Data Science Network, echoed Prof. Kponyo’s sentiments and stressed the need for capacity building, awareness building and grassroots engagement.
He noted that involving local communities in AI development ensures that solutions address the specific needs of communities, further increasing AI's impact and benefits.
The theme of the Ghana Data Science Summit is “Unleashing the potential of AI through grassroots efforts” We brought together experts to discuss the role of AI in advancing sustainable development.
Participants stressed the need for responsible AI development, balancing profit with caution to ensure AI systems benefit communities in Ghana.
About the Ghana Data Science Summit
The Ghana Data Science Summit (IndabaX Ghana) is a vibrant summit where Ghana’s data science community comes together to inspire, innovate and uncover future directions in the fields of data science and machine intelligence.
Now celebrating its fifth anniversary, IndabaX Ghana has brought together the world's brightest minds to innovate and shape the future of technology, analytics and artificial intelligence.
