AI could deepen rural-urban inequality without better connectivity – Sam George
The Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovations, Sam George, has warned that Ghana's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) could deepen existing inequalities between rural and urban communities unless deliberate investments are made to improve digital connectivity across the country.
Ghana's Communication, Digital Technology, and Innovations Minister, Sam George, has cautioned that the nation's adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) could exacerbate the divide between rural and urban areas unless steps are taken to enhance digital connectivity across the country. The minister acknowledges that AI offers substantial opportunities for economic advancement, education, and public services; however, communities lacking dependable internet access risk being left behind in the country's AI-driven transformation.
Speaking ahead of the Digital Economy Forum's second episode, the minister emphasized that failing to address this issue could deepen existing inequalities. He warned that AI will not merely mean artificial intelligence; it will signify the worsening of inequalities.
The government is aware of the risk and is contemplating measures to ensure that the benefits of AI are not confined to major cities. George highlighted the need to prioritize the government's phase three of the rural telephony project, which aims to improve existing rural telecommunications infrastructure. Instead of merely expanding the number of sites, the minister is advocating for an upgrade of existing rural telephony sites to support 4G and 5G technologies.
By doing so, rural communities can access faster internet connectivity, facilitating digital education, skill development, and participation in emerging economic opportunities.
The minister's proposal to upgrade existing infrastructure to provide 4G and 5G services is currently under consideration by the Cabinet as part of a potential third phase of the rural telephony project. The sector minister also drew parallels between the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on education and the potential consequences of unequal access to technology in an AI-driven world.
During the pandemic, children in remote areas faced significant challenges in continuing their education due to a lack of digital access. In contrast, urban children had better opportunities to engage in online learning. The minister emphasized that Ghana must avoid repeating this experience as AI becomes increasingly important in education and other aspects of daily life.
Ghana's national AI strategy identifies education, healthcare, agriculture, and government services as priority sectors for AI adoption. The minister believes that improved connectivity can enable rural communities to benefit from AI-supported learning, enhanced agricultural services, and remote healthcare delivery. He cited the potential use of community information centres and 5G connectivity to connect patients in underserved areas with medical professionals based in regional hospitals, ensuring that even remote communities can access timely healthcare services.
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