Artificial intelligence offers great opportunities for the development of African countries, according to a report by David Pilling and Clara Murray in the Financial Times. The example of a Google app that helps people with speech impediments illustrates how AI can solve everyday problems. AI is also being used successfully in fields such as medicine, agriculture, and education to catch up with development.
Experts see AI as a way for poorer countries to skip whole stages of development. But there are also concerns that the technology could exacerbate existing global inequalities. Challenges include limited access to computing power, a lack of local AI experts, and a failure to adapt to African languages and cultures. While major technology companies such as Google and Microsoft are investing in Africa, government commitment is also needed to harness and regulate AI in a meaningful way.