Japan will train more than 30,000 African students with artificial intelligence (AI) over the next three years as part of a broad plan to boost development, create jobs and promote innovation. The East Asian nation also intends to invest billions in other sectors of Africa to counter China's influence in the region.
Meanwhile, African countries are rapidly using AI to solve perennial challenges. In Malawi, small farmers rely on technology to improve agricultural practices, predict climate change, and optimize crop selection and planting schedules.
Japanese AI diplomacy
Japan has plans to train African students to make presentations in the 9th edition of the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD). Announcement of the initiative, Prime Minister Isba confirmed Japan's deepening partnership with Africa. This is essential as China's influence in the region grows while the US is declining, he says.
“Japan's goal is to support the training of 30,000 AI professionals over the next three years, to promote digitalization and create jobs,” he said.
TICAD is the annual summit that connects the Japanese government and the private sector with African countries to promote regional development. Founded in 1993, it was co-hosted by the World Bank, the United Nations and the African Union.
This year's event was attended by 50 African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa and the President of Kenya. It reached its peak with the Yokohama Declaration, with Japan pledging to partner with African countries of trade, technology, health, energy and sustainability.
“Africa must have a stronger voice in shaping decisions that will affect its future,” Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a speech at the opening ceremony.
AI training will be led by Matsuguchi Hayashi Research Institute, a laboratory at the University of Tokyo, led by Professor Matsuda Yutaka, Japan's most well-known AI researcher. The lab will collaborate with up to 30 African universities to offer AI-related courses, from processing AI datasets to integrating business technology.
Students who complete the training will be offered the opportunity to work for Japanese AI companies to prevent poaching by Western and Chinese companies. We will utilize the co-creation of Japanese and African industrial programs to match talents that connect Japanese and African companies.
The focus of Japan's new investment in Africa aims to reestablish the country's existence on the continent amid increasing Chinese influence. It intends to counter China's debt-driven diplomacy by focusing on regional human capital and the development of digital innovation.
Japan is lagging behind AI, with only one in three residents using the technology over the past year. In comparison, over 80% of Chinese citizens use AI.
One of the challenges is the talent deficit. By 2030 we will face a shortage of 790,000 software engineers, according to the Ministry of Trade. Government investment and talent exchange programmes in AI training in Africa will enable East Asian countries to take advantage of a vast market to help them catch up with China and the US in the AI race.
Malawia farmers tap AI to improve yields and predict climate
In Malawi, farmers are turning to AI to improve agricultural practices, predict weather patterns and boost yields.
Malawia farmers rely on Ulangizi AI, a new chatbot developed by Chicago-based Nonprofit Opportunity International, providing information such as location-specific weather forecasts and early warnings about adverse weather conditions. Chatbots support long-term planning, including crops that plant each season based on the forecasted climate.
The chatbot, also developed by the Malawian government and the Paris-based AI consultant artifact, provides information via the voice and text of Malawian Japanese language English and Chichewa.
“With Ulangizi, generative AI brings knowledge, power and agency to people, even with limited educational opportunities and literacy. AI is a new enabler to support the most excluded individuals.
Malawi's most important sector is agriculture, employing over 80% of its 21 million citizens. However, the country is often hit by natural disasters, ranging from floods and tropical storms to droughts and strong winds. For example, in 2023, the country was hit by Cyclone Freddy, which claimed more than 1,200 lives and caused more than $680 million in damages.
For AI to work properly in the law and thrive in the face of growing challenges, it will need to integrate enterprise blockchain systems that guarantee the quality and ownership of data input. Check out Coingeek's report on this new technology to learn more about why enterprise blockchain is the backbone of AI.
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