Africa risks widening inequality if it fails to build AI expertise – Kweku Awotwi
Chairman of the Multimedia Group Limited and Stallion Trust and Administration Company Limited, and a 1976 year-group student of Mfantsipim School, Kweku Awotwi, has warned that Africa risks widening existing inequalities if the continent fails to build the expertise and capacity needed to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Kweku Awotwi, Chairman of Multimedia Group Limited and Stallion Trust, has warned that Africa risks increasing inequality if it fails to develop the expertise and capacity needed to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI). Speaking at the 11th MOBA Annual Engagement Series in Accra, Awotwi highlighted the rapid transformation of industries and acceleration of innovation due to AI, yet noted that Africa is currently lagging in its adoption of the technology and data generation.
He emphasized that AI is already significantly impacting fields such as medicine, science, law, and software engineering, reducing research, discovery, and software development times. Awotwi pointed out that AI's rapid advancement is reshaping global competition, with major powers like the U.S. and China striving for leadership in the technology, which they believe can influence economic and technological advancement.
He expressed concern that Africa's lack of sufficient expertise and data limits its influence in AI development, potentially exacerbating inequality if the trend continues. Awotwi also raised the issue of African data being underrepresented in the datasets used to develop AI systems, particularly large language models, which are largely based on Western models and data.
He stressed that this disparity could affect the effectiveness and relevance of AI applications for African populations, especially in critical areas like medicine and scientific research. The expert suggested that education is key to confronting AI's rapid development, advocating for universities and schools to integrate AI into teaching and learning rather than trying to exclude it.
Awotwi called for a shift from banning AI to finding ways to use it responsibly and productively in educational settings. He urged policymakers to develop stronger governance frameworks to guide AI's development and use, noting that Ghana, while having a national AI strategy, needs to translate this into actionable policies.
Written by urgent.news from MyJoyOnline Ghana's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
