THE promising integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across Africa’s various sectors could herald transformative changes. Yet, a cautionary alarm resonates from Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, a Senegalese expert advocating against the looming shadow of digital colonisation by foreign entities.
In a candid conversation with UN News, Ndiaye delved into the potential and pitfalls of AI adoption on the continent.
Ndiaye, an influential member of the UN’s High-Level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence and a prominent figure in Senegal’s digital transformation, emphasised AI’s potential to tackle critical issues, spanning agriculture to healthcare.
He spoke optimistically about Africa’s burgeoning interest in AI, citing the forthcoming pan-African strategy set to shape the continent’s AI trajectory. However, he raised concerns about the marginalisation of local actors in this technological surge.
‘Africa’s cultural identity remains underrepresented on the global stage. AI could serve as a powerful medium to amplify and preserve these identities,’ Ndiaye highlighted, envisioning AI as a tool for showcasing Africa’s rich cultural tapestry to the world.
However, amid the promise lies a palpable threat. Ndiaye cautioned against the perils of unchecked digital colonisation, where multinational corporations wielding AI solutions developed elsewhere dominate Africa’s technological landscape. He stressed the ownership of African-generated data by external entities, leading to a drain of local talent and limited scope for indigenous innovations.
Furthermore, Ndiaye illuminated the risk posed by the convergence of AI with burgeoning biotechnological advances. Africa might inadvertently become a testing ground for unregulated experiments, raising ethical concerns about uncontrolled human trials and uncharted technological territories.
‘The UN’s AI advisory group emerges as a beacon of hope,’ Ndiaye expressed, highlighting the platform’s inclusivity and willingness to address critical issues. He emphasised the imperative representation of Africa’s voice in this global dialogue to ensure equitable international scientific cooperation and prevent deepening global inequalities.
Ndiaye’s apprehensions reflect a pressing reality: unchecked AI expansion in Africa could exacerbate existing disparities, compounding the challenges the least developed countries face.
Urgent measures to bridge the technological divide and safeguard African sovereignty in the digital sphere are pivotal in navigating the delicate balance between harnessing AI’s potential and averting potential exploitation.
The unfolding dialogue within the UN’s advisory body echoes the urgency to shape ethical frameworks, fostering responsible AI deployment while ensuring Africa’s integral role in shaping its technological destiny. As AI’s influence increases, safeguarding Africa’s agency in this digital era stands as a collective imperative for a more equitable and empowered future.