Artificial Intelligence Center of Excellence Africa (AICE) is set to host its second Artificial Intelligence (AI) for leaders’ summit in Kenya to help countries in the continent develop a clear AI strategy, ways of investing in AI infrastructure as well as on training and upskilling the workforce.
The summit, to be held on April 27, 2023, will be for industry leaders to explore the growth and transformative value of AI technology in emerging economies.
Participants are also expected to use the forum to foster collaboration and partnerships across academia, industry, and government to promote the development as well as the deployment of AI solutions and ethical AI concerns.
Mr John Kamara, founder and chair for AICE, said that the summit comes at a time when many countries in the continent are yet to embrace AI, despite the many advancements around the technology in many parts of the world.
“Africa has to accelerate its vision and participation in the immense value the AI industry has to offer our continent. We need to create a strategy on how we too can become producers and owners of technology infrastructure and not just consumers as is the case now,” Mr Kamara said.
“We must invest in AI and data science talent as a key driver to building qualitative human capital that can have a massive impact on our FDI. Investing in AI research, training more AI engineers, investing in AI start-ups, and investing in the infrastructure required to support AI are essential for Africa to fully leverage the opportunity presented by the 4IR,” he added.
Kenya is making strides in the adoption of AI technology, with several start-ups and organisations leveraging the technology.
He further argued that by leveraging AI technology, African countries can automate and streamline various processes across sectors, including healthcare, education, and agriculture.
“For instance, AI algorithms can be used to diagnose diseases and recommend treatment plans, streamline administrative tasks in schools and universities, and optimize crop production in agriculture. Such solutions can lead to better outcomes, increased productivity, and cost savings, all of which can contribute to the growth of the African economy,” Mr Kamara said.
“As the future of Africa’s emerging economies, AI technology offers enormous potential for growth and development, and AICE is committed to ensuring that Kenya is at the forefront of this transformative revolution,” he added.
The summit also aims to build a solid foundation for AI adoption in Kenya and beyond including building smart capacity and grow the AI market economy.
Already, Kenya is making strides in the adoption of AI technology, with several start-ups and organisations leveraging the technology to solve various challenges.
However, there is still a long way to go, and AICE is committed to accelerating the process of AI transformation, with the ultimate goal of transforming Kenya’s economy and ensuring that it remains competitive in the rapidly changing global landscape.
