AI in Africa: How is the continent tapping into new tech?

DW (English)

Artificial intelligence is booming in Africa — improving farming and education, and even in language preservation. With AI set to add more than a trillion dollars to Africa's economy by 2030, will Africa lead the revolution, or is the continent just supplying data to global tech giants?

Transcript

00:00Artificial intelligence is transforming lives across Africa, but there is a catch.

00:06So let's get into it.

00:08The African Union has launched a continental AI strategy to ensure that

00:12AI is developed ethically and responsibly.

00:16Countries like Kenya, Egypt, and Mauritius already have national AI policy.

00:21Olangizi, an AI-powered chatbot from Malawi, gives instant farming advice in the Chichewa

00:27language, helping farmers increase their yields and improve food security.

00:32Education is another big winner.

00:34The Africa AI ED 2024 was an event held in Ghana that brought together AI enthusiasts

00:42and researchers.

00:43Their goal?

00:44To find out a way to use AI to improve education across Africa.

00:49What about languages?

00:51AI is making sure that African languages are heard.

00:55The Center for Digitization of Indigenous African Languages, or the CDIAL, created a

01:02multilingual chatbot and a smart keyboard supporting 180 African languages.

01:08And there is more good news.

01:10AI is set to add about $1.5 trillion to Africa's GDP by 2030.

01:18Africa's AI future looks bright, but it's not without its challenges.

01:23Much of the technology still comes from global tech giants.

01:26Then there is the question of infrastructure.

01:29AI needs power and reliable internet.

01:32Things many African countries still struggle with.

01:35Moreover, let's face it, many AI models are trained on Western datasets, which don't

01:42always reflect Africa's diverse cultures, languages, or realities.

01:46The continent must invest more in building an AI industry with African data that serves

01:54the African people.

01:55Do you want to know more about AI?

01:57Then check out our reporting on the topic.

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