Navigating an AI powered future for Africa

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been identified as a pivotal technology that could significantly boost Africa's economy by a whopping $1.45 trillion. The key to realizing this potential lies in the proper regulation and balanced frameworks to manage the growth of AI on the continent. CNBC Africa's Aby Agina delved into this topic with Akua Gyekye, the Director of Cela at Microsoft Africa, to explore how Africa can harness this golden opportunity for economic advancement. Gyekye highlighted the increasing recognition by governments of AI's promise not just for economic growth but also for addressing societal challenges. Countries are now actively developing policy frameworks tailored to their unique contexts, with Microsoft partnering with several African governments in this endeavor. The goal is to ensure that regulation fosters innovation while aligning with local priorities, thereby making AI adoption both responsible and impactful. The conversation shifted to the significance of striking a balance between regulations and innovation. Gyekye stressed the importance of aligning AI policies with existing socioeconomic development strategies in African countries. She shed light on the African Union's recent continental strategy, emphasizing the focus on leveraging AI to meet development goals while addressing pressing needs throughout the continent. Multi-stakeholder participation emerged as a crucial aspect, with North-South collaboration playing a pivotal role in knowledge transfer, capacity building, and harmonizing governance frameworks. Gyekye cited examples such as the AUEU Digital Economic Task Force and the US-Africa digital transformation initiative as models for fostering collaboration in policy development and capacity building. In terms of investment, Gyekye underscored the need for reliable internet access and a skilled workforce to fully leverage AI's potential in Africa. Microsoft's initiatives like the AirBad initiative, aimed at connecting millions to high-speed internet, and philanthropic efforts to upskill individuals for employability, are driving progress in these areas. Furthermore, the AI for Good Lab is actively collaborating with various stakeholders to address sustainability challenges through AI-driven solutions. Addressing concerns about AI's impact on jobs, Gyekye emphasized the need to embrace technology's potential for good while creating guardrails for responsible use. She highlighted the role of technology in driving solutions across sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and education, crucial for Africa's growing population and development needs. By nurturing innovation and leveraging AI, Africa can not only unlock economic opportunities but also make significant strides toward achieving sustainable development goals. As Africa navigates the AI-powered future, collaboration, innovation, and responsible governance will be key drivers in harnessing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence.