Africa Can’t Afford to be a Bystander in the AI Revolution

The year 2023 stands out as a pivotal moment in the explosion of AI, remotely triggered by the current wave of growth in big data and, more closely, by the advent of OpenAI’s generative AI, ChatGPT. These developments catapulted Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the forefront of global discussions, with generative AI becoming a ubiquitous topic in every corner of the globe.

“What fate awaits Africa if OpenAI transforms into ‘CloseAI’?” This thought-provoking question, asked by AI Ethics Research Specialist Sebastian Obeta, a panelist at a recent data hackathon I participated in, resonates deeply, echoing concerns about the continent’s vulnerable position in the burgeoning AI landscape.

Market Trends and Economic Impact

Global artificial intelligence market size 2021-2030 | Source Statista

As the world gets immersed in the excitement surrounding AI, market figures, research findings, and job opportunities provide tangible evidence of unprecedented growth in the industry. According to a 2023 Statista publication, the global artificial intelligence (AI) market is poised for robust growth in the upcoming decade. Its current value of nearly 208 billion USD is projected to surge towards a two-trillion-dollar market by 2030 as depicted in the figure above. A noteworthy testament to this trajectory is the over six-fold increase in AI investments since 2016, signifying remarkable growth in this market.

Beyond Economics: AI’s Impact on Healthcare, Education, and Agriculture

Beyond the evident economic impacts, substantial benefits exist in healthcare, education, and agriculture. In healthcare, AI-powered medical imaging algorithms are detecting diseases like cancer with life-saving accuracy. In education, adaptive learning platforms are tailoring lessons to individual students, significantly enhancing learning outcomes. AI is also revolutionizing agriculture, optimizing crop yields through smart irrigation and pest control. Embracing this transformative force is crucial for the economic future of any continent.

The Demand for AI Talent and Africa’s Position

The advantages of AI are profound, and the surge in AI investment corresponds to an escalating demand for AI talent. According to LinkedIn data, job postings featuring AI or Generative AI more than doubled between July 2021 and July 2023. With the industry experiencing rapid expansion, even more increases are anticipated in the years ahead.

PwC’s Global Artificial Intelligence Study | Source: PwC Analysis

However, Africa finds itself lagging behind. Global AI leadership remains concentrated in the hands of a select few. According to an analysis by PwC, AI’s potential contribution to the global GDP by 2030 is estimated at around 13 trillion USD, with China leading at 26.1%. Unfortunately, Africa has yet to establish a significant footprint as can be observed in the chart above.

The Research Gap and Steps for Africa’s Advancement

The same lack of representation is true in AI research. A brief search on Scopus, a prominent global academic database, presents a conservative outlook. Of the nearly 540,000 academic research publications on AI, Africa claims a meager share of just above 10,000—slightly more than Brazil’s total. This reality is not encouraging, given that research forms the backbone of innovation in any industry.

What steps must Africa take to position itself among the global players in this emerging industry?

By leveraging its youth demographic dividend and investing in education, innovation, and research, Africa can not only adapt to the AI revolution but also contribute significantly to shaping its trajectory. Some countries on the continent are already moving in the right direction, although more is required. For instance, Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) program, which aims to strategically train 3 million talents over the next four years in 12 emerging tech skills, with a focus on AI, is a giant stride in the right direction. It becomes even more intriguing with the initiative to fund grants in AI research by university academics in the country. While this attempt is plausible, it needs to be scaled up, and more initiatives of this nature are essential across the continent.

The future belongs to those who actively participate, and Africa must seize this opportunity to become a leading force in the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence. The solution isn’t far-fetched; Africa’s youthful population, brimming with talent and potential, is the key to unlocking the continent’s AI future.