Climb on the bandwagon
On the African continent, the development of AI varies from country to country. However, it constitutes a precious resource, promoting progress in the fields of agriculture, health or trade. In a corner of the globe where the shortage of data remains, AI can provide strategic responses to the development of many regions.
Faced with strong global competition, West Africa reaches the arms at AI. Already in 2014, 32 countries joined and created the Smart Africa (ASA) alliance . Its goal: to understand the development of new technologies. Among them, Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire are the pioneers of institutes dedicated to AI. In a region where more than 60 % of the population is under the age of 25, the objective is to train youth in controlling the technologies of tomorrow.
Algorithms under influence
If its will to tame it is increasing, West Africa deplores a lack of jurisdiction framing the use of that which imitates human intelligence. And for good reason, many countries have not yet promulgated complete data protection or digital criminology. Today, only 17 of the member states of the African Union rule on possible security measures.
The lack of legislation but also of favorable environment causes a definite delay in the acquisition of AI by many African countries. Today, the intelligence ecosystem offered on the market comes mainly from abroad. Few initiatives go beyond the borders of the continent. The monopoly of the tool replacing the human brain has important security and ethical risks. On the front line, a possible "neo-coloniality", via algorithms designed by foreign powers. The latter exert an apparently silent influence, in reality insidious. More serious, this factor compromises the intellectual independence of users.
Creating an environment favorable to AI is necessary to release West Africa from the algorithm shackles. Defining a solid data protection regulations makes it possible not to remain trapped in these injunctions. But to train your critical mind and instill good gestures to youth remains the main guarantor of freedom.
