At exactly 8pm on 29th August, June engaged Isaac Asomah in a zoom interview on “AI in Africa: Run or Rejoice?”. The discussion centered around the rapid development of AI and and it’s implications on the African continent. Here’s the conversation that took place.
June: Good evening, Mr. Asomah. Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today about AI in Africa.
Isaac: It’s a pleasure, June. I’m glad to discuss such a pressing topic.
June: So, Isaac, you’ve been following the AI revolution closely. What do you think is the biggest potential benefit of AI for Africa?
Isaac: Well, June, the potential benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Africa are extremely vast. One of the most significant is economic growth. AI can automate tasks and complete it 10x faster, improve efficiency, and create new jobs in the process. For example, in agriculture, one could take a picture of a tomato plant’s leaf and an AI app can tell whether the plant is diseased or not. With AI, famers can optimize their yields, reduce waste, and improve food security.
June: Wow! unimaginable. But what about the concerns about job displacement? Some people worry that AI will lead to job losses. Will I lose my job? lol.
Isaac: Haha! It’s a valid concern, June. It will definitely lead to job displacements. However, it’s important to remember that AI can also create new jobs, particularly in the fields of data science, machine learning, and AI development. Right now, the machines have not assumed consciousness, so humans are still in control. Additionally, AI can help to automate tedious and dangerous tasks, freeing up human workers to focus on more creative and strategic work. So the two most important skills needed now is learnability and creativity. Very important.
June: That’s a good point. So, what are some of the ethical concerns associated with AI?
Isaac: Ethical concerns are a major issue, June. One of the biggest concerns is bias in AI algorithms. If AI algorithms are trained on biased data, they can perpetuate discrimination and inequality. For example, facial recognition systems have been shown to be less accurate for people of color.
June: That’s a serious issue. How can we address these ethical concerns?
Isaac: It’s important to ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly. And the tech titans are talking about such concerns seriously. This means developing ethical guidelines and regulations, promoting diversity and inclusion in AI development teams, and ensuring that AI systems are transparent and accountable. For Africa, our governments have to prioritize technology, invest in it and so that we can join the development and discussions about its ethics.
June: Incredible. But what about the infrastructure challenges facing Africa? How can we ensure that AI is accessible to everyone?
Isaac: Infrastructure challenges are a significant barrier to AI adoption in Africa. However, like I said earlier on, with the right investments and partnerships, we can overcome these challenges. For example, we can invest in expanding internet connectivity and building data centers. We can also collaborate with international organizations to share knowledge and resources.
June: That’s a great point. So, in conclusion, what do you think the future holds for AI in Africa?
Isaac: The future of AI in Africa is bright, but it’s also full of challenges. By addressing the ethical concerns, infrastructure challenges, and education gaps, we can harness the power of AI to improve the lives of millions of Africans.
As the famous quote by Nelson Mandela goes, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In the context of AI, education and training are crucial for ensuring that we can fully benefit from this technology.
June: Thank you so much Mr Asomah. Now to you viewer, what do you think about AI and the future of Africa? Let us hear from you.