Nina Jojer
Collaboration is Critical for Successful AI Development in Africa
Tech & Innovations
Published on 2024-08-30
Artificial Intelligence, Africa,
The African Union announced the continental AI strategy on August 9, 2024. The framework was urgently needed as some countries already have AI strategies or policies in place, and others are moving quickly to establish frameworks to guide the governance of, and use of, artificial intelligence.
On the heels of the new strategy, key stakeholders recently reflected on what is needed to ensure the strategy is implemented effectively and the continent avoids a patchwork of strategies, legislation, and regulation. During the summit on “Shaping Africa's Artificial Intelligence Future: Strategies for Inclusive and Collaborative National Artificial Intelligence Policy Development” on August 20, hosted at the African Union participants sought to accelerate unified approaches to policy development, align investment strategies, ensure inclusive AI, and foster collaboration for AI development.
That implementation of the continental strategy for AI will rely on a number of interrelated foundational elements, from digital skills to digital infrastructure to related continental strategies such as the AU Data Policy Framework and the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement. But equally important, successful implementation of the AU AI Strategy will rely on collaboration between African governments, industry, academia and policy institutes, regional and sub-regional institutions, citizens and development partners.
Each of these actors has a unique role to play, and collaboration is needed between all of them. If this collaboration does not happen quickly and lead to well-informed policy, accelerated innovation, the creation of jobs, and improved development outcomes, many countries in Africa will likely fall behind global trends and norms for artificial intelligence.
The AU strategy is clear in calling for collaboration. One of the high level recommendations is to “foster collaboration between the government, private sector, academia, civil society, and regional and international organizations to skill up and build startups' capacity to deploy inclusive and development-orientated AI solutions and systems in Africa”. It also outlines numerous other recommendations that will require partnership and coordination such as ensuring regulatory and legislative harmonization, engaging in international dialogues to share best practices, promoting regional data pools and creating open science platforms.
There is a wide array of partners committed to support implementation of the continental AI strategy to include AU organs such as AUDA-NEPAD and the AU Working Group on AI chaired by Egypt; development partners such as the EU, Germany and the United Kingdom; civil society and citizen platforms such as Omdena; technology firms such as Meta, Microsoft and Google; and research institutions such as Research ICT Africa and the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET).
The cross border nature of AI and its inevitable transnational impact renders regional cooperation a necessity rather than a luxury. Africa is projected to be the most affected region in the world by AI. This leaves governments with no other option than to intensify their collaboration, which must also include platforms to gather citizen input and understand concerns related to AI.
Given that only a few African countries have AI strategies or policies in place, there is a real opportunity for peer learning among nations, building upon lessons learned, and sharing experiences. In some ways, industry has the most to offer in this regard given the global technology firms have a wealth of experience from around the world. They also bring different perspectives. For example, some firms will have more expertise in infrastructure and interoperability, while others will have helped craft policies on data protection or connectivity. That said, it is critical that the local private sector is also crowded into the dialogue as they will reflect the contexts and challenges in each country. As well, innovators and entrepreneurs will likely have the best understanding of local demand. The continental AI strategy places a strong focus on how AI start-ups can be incentivized and how the investment environment can be strengthened in specific markets.
At the same time, governments have an obligation to engage citizens. While there are often narratives about the role of civil society and citizens in policymaking, in reality they are not always included sufficiently in the policymaking process. This is particularly the case when it comes to rural communities and disadvantaged groups. In some cases, umbrella groups can be engaged, and in other instances local NGOs involved in digital skills can contribute. There are also citizen platforms such as Omdena that bring together data scientists and experts to craft AI solutions to development challenges.
Across the continent there is a vibrant network of think tanks and policy institutes supporting AI development. These can be further leveraged to help inform AI policy. Some such as NIYEL in Senegal are focused on strengthen responsible AI in a particular region such as West Africa; others such as the African Technology Policy Studies Network (ATPS) is focused on sectors such as agriculture; while some such as the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) support development of AI solutions to inform economic policy. These, and other, think tanks can provide independent analysis, support peer learning, and advocate for AI policy that leads to the greatest outcomes.
The authors, writing in their personal capacities as professionals involved in AI development, argue for action in six key areas:
- Rapid opportunities for peer learning among governments in safe spaces where both successes and challenges can be addressed. The AI agenda is moving quickly, therefore governments need strategies and policies in place, but also run the risk of developing legislation that is not fully informed. This should include the establishment of an African/AU AI observatory to encourage sharing of best practices and experiences. This will serve as a guideline/benchmark for countries who are yet to develop the AI national strategy.
- To support the observatory and peer learning opportunities, priority should be given to establishing a network of centers of excellence, innovation hubs, AI institutes and think tanks in Africa. The African Union Commission, the AU working group on AI and AUDA-NEPAD have particularly roles to play in supporting peer learning but they should also leverage African think tanks and development partners.
- Greater citizen involvement at the national and regional level to inform AI policy. In particular, citizens can help co-create solutions, ensure that AI policies are inclusive, and inform ethical and responsible artificial intelligence policy.
- Industry – both global and local – should provide input to the policymaking process that builds upon international experience and local needs and demand from citizens and business. Innovators and entrepreneurs can help policymakers understand. Governments need to be proactive in calling upon the private sector to solicit inputs.
- Establishment of a permanent review body comprised of AU member states representing sub-regions, AU specialized agencies and regional economic communities (RECs) to monitor implementation of the AU Artificial Intelligence Strategy. The review committee should report out to an AU Commission African Multistakeholder AI Assembly.
- Formulate continent wide capacity building programs on key aspects of AI policy and raising awareness campaigns to be implemented in African countries.
The time for action is now. More than seventy countries (and regions such as the EU) have developed AI strategies, policies and frameworks. Many of these strategies continue to evolve or are in early stages. But to date only a few African countries have strategies in place, and even fewer have parliament-approved policies.
One of the biggest challenges to AI adoption in most of African economies is changing culture. Many citizens are cautious and skeptical towards embracing AI. ACET’ research has also shown there is often a lack of digital leadership within government. The political leadership in Africa should champion continental partnership frameworks to address the vital obstacles to applying AI systems. The African Working Group on AI established in 2019 with the mandate to develop and implement an African continental AI strategy demonstrates one of the successful models such cooperation.
As governments across the continent continue to pursue economic transformation, AI can be a key driver of such transformation. There are estimates that AI is worth nearly $20 trillion to the global economy and $1.5 trillion to Africa by 2030, while productivity gains may equal more than 15% to the global GDP. As with any innovation or new technology, there will be losers in the economy, and there is the potential for bad actors – but the benefits will certainly outweigh the costs over the medium term. That said, African governments must quickly develop harmonized strategies and approaches that build upon the continental AI strategy if they are to capitalize on those gains.
We already see tremendous use of AI in Africa, from tools to address climate change to solutions for healthcare and education. It will, in the coming years, become part of the economic policymaking process and become fully integrated into our daily lives. Effective collaboration to develop AI, and the policies to regulate it, are critical to fully leveraging its benefits. That collaboration has begun, but must be accelerated.
Authors
- Rob Floyd, Director for Innovation and Digital Policy, African Center for Economic Transformation
- Amr Farouk Safwat, Manager of African Organizations, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Egypt
- Souhila Amazouz, Senior Tech Policy Officer, African Union Commission
- Mlindi Mashologu, Deputy Director-General, ICT Information Society and Capacity Development at Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, South Africa
- James Elieta, Vice President for Partnerships, Omdena
- Joseph Ishie, Client Advisory and Business Development Manager, Nina Jojer