The African Union AI Continental Strategy: Examining the African AI Landscape

The video script opens with an introduction by Gregory C. Allen, the director of the Wadwani Center for AI and Advanced Technologies. He sets the stage for a panel and keynote discussion focusing on the African Union's AI strategy and developments in AI across Africa. Barbara Glover, a program officer at the African Union, is introduced as the keynote presenter. Glover discusses the African Union Development Agency's role in coordinating regional and continental projects, emphasizing the importance of science, technology, and innovation in Africa's agenda. She also outlines the agency's five mandates, including coordinating projects, strengthening capacities, advancing knowledge-based advisory support, resource mobilization, and serving as a technical interface with development partners.

Barbara Glover continues her presentation by detailing the African Union Development Agency's work in the science policy and innovation nexus. She explains the three major components: science policy and enablers, technology platforms for testing, and the 'energize Africa' initiative. Glover also discusses the African Union's commitment to responsible AI, capacity strengthening, and addressing misconceptions about AI. She outlines the six pillars of the African Union's AI strategy, which include human capital development, infrastructure and data foundations, enabling environment for AI, AI economy, sustainable partnerships, and monitoring and evaluation. Glover emphasizes the importance of stakeholder engagement and the need for a living document that adapts to the rapid pace of technological development.

The paragraph discusses the ongoing process of engaging diverse stakeholders in shaping the AI strategy for Africa. It highlights the release of a white paper and the use of various methods to gather inputs, such as online surveys, feedback forms, focused group discussions, and public forums. The aim is to finalize and present a comprehensive strategy to policy organs between June and July 2024. The strategy development includes creating a compendium, a digital platform for AI strategies in Africa, which will encompass foundational AI concepts, guidelines, frameworks, sector-specific strategies, a digital readiness index, case studies, and a resource directory.

The script transitions into a panel discussion where Sheila Chiima, NE London SOA, and Chinasa Okolo share their insights on AI in Africa. They discuss their backgrounds and experiences with AI in the context of the African continent. The panelists represent different sectors, including private investment, academia, and public policy, providing a well-rounded perspective on the state of AI in Africa. They touch on the importance of responsible AI development, the need for capacity building, and the potential for AI to address unique African challenges.

Sheila Chiima speaks from her perspective in the private sector, particularly focusing on East Africa. She discusses how companies are incorporating AI to solve infrastructure challenges and improve business competitiveness. Chiima provides examples from the healthcare and fintech sectors, highlighting innovations in diagnostics, telemedicine, and mobile payment systems. She emphasizes the importance of AI in addressing critical challenges and the need for African countries to participate actively in AI innovation, rather than simply providing data to global tech companies.

NE London SOA shares insights from the academic and educational sector in Africa, particularly in Ghana. He discusses research being conducted in AI, including language translation and the development of large language models for local languages. SOA also talks about the AI landscape in Ghana, the role of platforms like Zindi Africa, and the use of AI by students in various projects. He emphasizes the need for more centralized platforms for sharing AI research and the importance of AI in educational curriculums.

Chinasa Okolo discusses the development of the African Union AI strategy and the activities at the national government level. He highlights the importance of leveraging AI for socioeconomic development and the focus on responsible and safe AI practices. Okolo also mentions the challenges of enforcement within the African Union and the promising developments at the individual member state level. He emphasizes the need for AI strategies to turn into policies that safeguard AI development and meet the needs of Africans.

Sheila Chiima, wearing her secondary hat as a presidential appointee to the Kenyan National Investment Council, discusses the entrepreneurial ecosystem in East Africa. She talks about the types of companies and problems they are tackling with AI and the importance of context in data and AI models. Chiima emphasizes the need for African countries to be more than just data providers and to participate actively in AI innovation. She also discusses the role of government in promoting investment in AI and the importance of supporting local innovation and infrastructure.

The paragraph focuses on the development of AI talent and the educational opportunities and challenges facing African countries. It discusses the need for improving education systems and increasing the talent pipeline for AI and machine learning professionals. The importance of academic research and the role of governments in funding research labs are highlighted. The paragraph also touches on the need for free education and equitable participation in STEM fields, especially for women and girls.

Sheila Chiima discusses the themes she identifies from international investors interested in Africa's technology scene. She emphasizes the need for investors to understand the unique challenges and opportunities in Africa and to look for companies that are solving fundamental problems with technology. Chiima also talks about the importance of local context and the need for international partners to engage thoughtfully with the African market, focusing on long-term partnerships and meaningful local impact.

The final paragraph explores effective ways for the international community to partner with the African Union and support AI developments on the continent. It discusses the involvement of big tech companies, the importance of localizing efforts, and the need for international partnerships that are mutually beneficial and aligned with the local needs and priorities of African countries. The paragraph concludes with a call for a reframing of bilateral relationships, ensuring that they are based on the needs of the local communities and consumers.