Embracing AI or Risking Stagnation: A South African Perspective on Global Advancements

As a South African with a vision for our continent’s progress, I see the discourse around Artificial Intelligence (AI) often clouded by fears of job displacement and technological dominance. However, the real threat we face is not AI itself but the potential lag in its adoption, which could leave us behind in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

The Global Context vs. Sub-Saharan Realities

Internationally, AI has been integrated into various sectors with frameworks that support ethical use, innovation, and regulation. For instance, the European Union’s AI Act is a pioneering example of AI regulation focused on transparency and ethical considerations. In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa exhibits a stark disparity:

• Implementation: While South Africa has a burgeoning AI scene, the broader region struggles with implementation due to infrastructure deficits. The AI Preparedness Index by Intelpoint shows a score of just 0.34 for Sub-Saharan Africa, significantly lower than global leaders like Singapore and the U.S.
• Policy and Regulation: Only a handful of African countries, like Rwanda and Mauritius, have national AI strategies, highlighting a policy lag.
• Adoption: Digital literacy and access to technology are key barriers. According to the GSMA’s 2024 State of Mobile Internet Connectivity report, only 27% of the total population of Sub-Saharan Africa uses mobile internet services, a primary conduit for AI access ().

Obvious reasons for these discrepancies include economic constraints and lack of digital infrastructure. However, less obvious are cultural attitudes towards technology, colonial legacy impacts on policy development, and the dominance of foreign tech solutions that might not align with local needs.

Case Studies Across Sectors:

• Financial Sector: Internationally, AI enhances fraud detection and customer personalization. In Africa, mobile money platforms like M-Pesa in Kenya employ basic AI for fraud detection, but data privacy regulations’ absence limits broader adoption. A study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in 2024 underlines how African financial sectors could benefit from AI but are held back by these challenges.
• Economy: AI can revolutionize supply chains and agricultural productivity. In Nigeria, Esoko uses AI for market insights, but scalability is an issue due to connectivity.
• Health Sector: Globally, AI aids in diagnostics and patient management. South Africa’s Envisionit Deep AI uses AI for faster diagnostics, but scaling is constrained by the high cost of data infrastructure.
• Government: AI can streamline public services. Rwanda’s use of AI for traffic and healthcare management is commendable, but without comprehensive policy frameworks, ethical concerns remain unaddressed across the continent.

Winners in the AI Landscape:

• Short-term, early adopters in Africa, like South Africa and Kenya, stand to gain through tech hubs that foster AI innovation. Companies like Flutterwave are already leveraging AI to provide better financial services.
• In the long term, the winners will be those who integrate AI in a way that is inclusive, ethical, and benefits the broader populace, particularly in rural and underrepresented areas.

Historical Context and the Digital Leap:

Africa has historically been slow to adopt technological revolutions. During the Industrial Revolution, Africa was sidelined due to colonial exploitation, leading to delayed industrialization. The digital era, however, presents an opportunity for “leapfrogging”:

• Leapfrogging: By adopting mobile technology, Africa bypassed traditional landline infrastructure. AI can similarly allow leaps in health diagnostics, education, and governance through mobile platforms.
• Local Adaptation: AI solutions tailored to local languages and problems, like drought prediction or agricultural advice, can drive adoption by addressing immediate and relevant issues.
• Policy Proactivity: Drawing lessons from past delays, African nations should foster proactive AI policies. The African Union’s AI for Africa Blueprint is a step in this direction.

Conclusion: The Real Challenge is Adoption, Not Automation

The narrative should shift from AI taking over to Africa potentially being left behind if we do not adopt AI. As a South African, I advocate for an approach where we harness AI to uplift our communities, enhance our economies, and ensure that this continent does not repeat the pattern of being a late adopter of industrial revolutions. The digital revolution is our chance to not only catch up but to define our path in the global technological landscape. Let’s ensure AI is our tool for advancement, not our missed opportunity.

References:

• European Parliament. (2021). The AI Act.
• GSMA. (2020). The State of Mobile Internet Connectivity 2020.
• Intelpoint. (2024). AI Preparedness Index for Sub-Saharan Africa.
• PricewaterhouseCoopers. (2024). Africa Business Agenda-Tech-enabled digital transformation.
• Smart Africa. (2021). AI for Africa Blueprint.