Chairman of the Multimedia Group Limited, Kweku Awotwi, has warned that Africa's failure to develop the necessary expertise and capacity in Artificial Intelligence (AI) could exacerbate existing inequalities on the continent. He made these remarks at the 11th MOBA Annual Engagement Series held at the Ecobank Ghana Head Office in Accra. The event was themed “Sustaining Mfantsipim’s Legacy Beyond 150 Years.”
Mr. Awotwi noted that AI is rapidly transforming industries and accelerating innovation globally, but Africa continues to lag in its use of the technology and in the generation of data needed to develop effective AI systems. He cited examples of AI's impact on fields such as medicine, science, law, and software engineering, where the technology is reducing research and discovery times.
The rapid pace of AI development is reshaping global competition, with major powers like the United States and China seeking leadership in the technology due to its potential to influence economic and technological advancement. Mr. Awotwi emphasized that Africa faces a significant challenge due to its lack of expertise and data to influence AI system development.
Mr. Awotwi warned that the gap in AI expertise could have serious implications for inequality if African countries fail to develop the necessary knowledge and expertise. He expressed concerns about the lack of African data in datasets used to develop large language models and other AI systems, which could affect the effectiveness and relevance of AI applications for African populations.
Education is one area where Ghana needs to confront the rapid development of AI, according to Mr. Awotwi. He noted that universities and schools are already grappling with questions about how students should use AI and whether it should be restricted or incorporated into teaching and learning. Mr. Awotwi challenged educators to find ways to incorporate AI into the classroom while equipping students with the skills to use the technology responsibly and productively.
Mr. Awotwi also called for stronger policy and governance frameworks to guide the development and use of AI. He noted that Ghana is one of the few countries with a national AI strategy, but stressed that having a strategy alone is not sufficient. The strategy needs to translate into action and governable frameworks.
The 11th MOBA Annual Engagement Series brought together stakeholders to discuss how Mfantsipim School could sustain and extend its legacy as it approaches its 150th anniversary. Mr. Awotwi urged Ghana and other African countries to develop the human capacity, data infrastructure, and policy frameworks required to ensure that the continent is not left behind as AI continues to reshape the global economy.
Key points
- Africa risks widening existing inequalities if it fails to build AI expertise.
- AI is rapidly transforming industries and accelerating innovation globally.
- Education and policy frameworks are crucial to harnessing AI's potential in Africa.
