Africa’s AI Policy Landscape Is Belatedly Shaping Up Amid Recent Uproar

African countries are looking to assert their imprint on the fast-developing artificial intelligence (AI) landscape as they grapple with the challenges of cultural representation and economic parity. Recent events, particularly the discourse sparked by notable tech billionaire Paul Graham’s controversial remarks, emphasise the need for Africa to carve its path in the AI race.

Earlier this week, Graham, notable for successful tech investments and co-founding the renowned Y Combinator accelerator, asserted in a post on X that a cold email he had received including the word “delve” likely stemmed from AI. This prompted a dialogue, as well as some heated debate, on cultural nuances within AI algorithms. African voices, notably Nigerians, swiftly countered Graham’s claim, highlighting the diverse usage of English vocabulary across the globe.

Someone sent me a cold email proposing a novel project. Then I noticed it used the word “delve.”

— Paul Graham (@paulg) April 7, 2024

This exchange sheds light on Africa’s evolving stance in the AI landscape, prompting a deeper examination of the continent’s AI policies. With the EU and US unveiling comprehensive AI regulations, African nations are spurred to develop their strategies to safeguard cultural perspectives and economic interests.

Loss of cultural perspective emerges as a critical concern. African tech entrepreneurs and professionals have taken to social media to caution against a homogenised AI landscape dominated by Western narratives. The reliance on AI models primarily trained on Western data risks marginalising African cultures, exacerbating the digital divide, they assert.

Moreover, there’s a palpable fear of job displacement among African writers, academics, and content creators. As AI detectors increasingly classify non-native English content as AI-generated, the livelihoods of African creators hang in the balance, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate economic repercussions.

This is how biases work:

“Our findings reveal that these detectors consistently misclassify non-native English writing samples as AI-generated, whereas native writing samples are accurately identified.”

Same thing @paulg is doing. https://t.co/dRy217LY0R pic.twitter.com/YsJQEYHCgp

— a13i (@Ayomidejoe) April 9, 2024

However, amid these challenges, there’s a glimmer of hope. African governments, including Nigeria, are heeding the call for action by formulating national AI strategies. These strategies aim to bolster funding for AI startups and foster local AI talent, laying the groundwork for Africa’s participation in the global AI ecosystem.

For instance, Nigeria’s national artificial intelligence strategy prioritises increased funding for AI startups. Similarly, countries like Senegal, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Mauritius have already implemented national AI policies, focusing on aspects such as data science training and fostering AI innovation. Additionally, seven Southern African nations are collectively working on the same.

Yet, funding remains a formidable barrier. While global investment in AI startups surges, Africa’s share remains disproportionately low. The continent’s AI sector struggles to attract investment, hindering its ability to innovate and compete on the global stage.

In light of these developments, Africa stands at a pivotal juncture. As the world grapples with the implications of AI, Africa’s representation in shaping AI policies and technologies is crucial.

Featured Image Credits: ICTworks