Artificial Intelligence for Manufacturing faces obstacles across the globe. Experts highlighted the need for urgent action to support AI development of the African Continent. What can make Africa ready for AI? In response to the fast paced developments around AI and the problems developing countries face, UNIDO and ITU brought together experts to discuss Infrastructure deficits, skills, awareness and also new emerging problems for AI in Africa. “We need an African regulatory network for AI to take advantage of AI for the African continent.” highlighted Mactar Seck, Senior Economist at UNECA, echoing the growing concerns for AI development across all sectors.
The panellists also focussed on the benefits of AI for developing Africa’s manufacturing and other production potential for Africa. Tessy Okole from AfriLabs even proclaimed that “AI has massive potential to propel African industries. Imagine AI in African Agriculture, we have the land, we have the workforce, if we infuse it with AI, we can solve world hunger before 2030.” Faith Langat from Festo Didactic suggested that added skills to the African economy can quickly increase technology uptake and have far reaching impact on societies in Africa.
Moderating the discussion, Marco Kamiya, Chief of Digital Transformation and AI Strategies emphasized the positive impact that AI could have for economies and highlighted the need to further increase cooperation within the international community. Unaddressed policy questions must be solved quickly, and infrastructure, finance and skills gaps must be closed quickly to avoid furthering development gaps between developed and developing countries.
The discussions ended on a positive note to ensure collaboration on the issues between the expert stakeholders is improved, best practices are spread, and ensure that the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals are achieved. Concluding, the event saw experts agreeing to strengthen cooperation between UNECA, UNIDO, AfriLabs and Festo to harness AI for Good.
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Marco Kamiya, Chief, Digital Transformation and AI Strategies.