Artificial intelligence (AI) has a lot of promise for use in Africa’s different industries, from healthcare and agriculture to government and public services. However, obstacles including legislative frameworks, ethical questions, and infrastructure restrictions prevent the development and use of AI in Africa. This article looks at the extant research and policy activity in this area in an effort to give a broad overview of the present state of AI governance in Africa.

AI Governance in Africa

The interest in AI governance in Africa has been expanding recently, as seen by the rise in research studies and policy activities in this field, which is the first thing to mention. For instance, the South African consultancy ALT Advisory has created a study series on AI governance in Africa that addresses issues including legislation, policy frameworks, and the impact of AI on human rights. According to the paper, there are considerable regional differences in the amount of governance and preparation for AI, with some nations having national AI policies and others missing the necessary infrastructure to implement AI.

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The demographics of the continent, which are characterized by a sizable youth population, are crucial factors in AI governance in Africa. The youth population can provide a sizable pool of talent and customers for AI-based services, but it also raises concerns about the possibility of social exclusion and inequality in the distribution of benefits from AI. As a result, this demographic trend presents both opportunities and challenges for AI deployment in Africa. 

African nations and regional organizations are beginning to see the importance of setting rules and regulations for the creation and use of artificial intelligence (AI). For instance, ALT Advisory has carried out a mapping study on the state of AI policy and governance measures in 55 African countries, revealing gaps and potential for enhancing the regulatory environment for AI. The research emphasizes the necessity of cooperation between the government, business, civil society, and academia to create a thorough and inclusive framework for AI governance.

Several significant areas of concern and potential have been recognized by other research studies and policy publications on AI governance in Africa. For instance, a study by Wakunuma and Ogoh (2021) highlights the value of responsible AI and the need for AI development in Africa to be in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The authors emphasize the necessity for African nations to give justice, accountability, and transparency top priority in their AI policies and practices.

There are some encouraging instances of the use of AI to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency in public procurement and service delivery when it comes to particular uses of AI for governance in Africa. For instance, in several African nations, AI-powered tools are being used to track and evaluate public procurement procedures, spot fraud and corruption, and enhance service delivery outcomes. There are worries, meanwhile, that the use of AI in governance might exacerbate already-existing power disparities and discriminatory practices, particularly in situations where authoritarian control and low civic involvement are prevalent.

To sum up, the governance of AI in Africa is a complicated and quickly expanding topic that calls for close consideration of the social, ethical, and legal ramifications of AI deployment.