The AU Executive Council approved a strategy to promote AI adoption across public and private sectors in member states.
The “Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy” has been authorized by the African Union (AU) Executive Council. This strategy encourages the adoption of AI in the public and private sectors of member states, including Nigeria.
On August 9, 2024, the AU website published a document that announced this unprecedented decision.
The Implementation of a Continental AI Strategy
The AU Executive Council’s 45th Ordinary Session, which took place in Accra, Ghana from July 18 to 19, 2024, was the occasion for the formal adoption of the AU strategy on artificial intelligence
The African ICT and Communications Ministers endorsed this strategy in June 2024 with the objective of utilizing AI to enhance the well-being of its citizens and promote the development of the continent.
The strategy was adopted subsequent to the 2nd Extraordinary Session of the Specialized Technical Committee on Communication and ICT, which was conducted virtually from June 11 to 13, 2024, at the AU.
In the end, a Continental AI Strategy was endorsed by over 130 African ministers and experts, who will provide guidance to African countries on how to leverage AI technology.
AI Strategy Recommendations
Several key recommendations are outlined in the endorsed strategy, including the establishment of an integrated hardware and software environment that is specifically designed for AI and machine learning workloads to speed up data processing and deployment.
The strategy also prioritizes the establishment of AI governance systems, the promotion of AI adoption in the public sector, and the integration of AI into critical sectors as specified in Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.
In addition, it is crucial to foster the adoption of AI by private sectors, establish an enabling environment for AI firms, and guarantee the availability of high-quality data sets.
Furthermore, it underscores the significance of fostering research and innovation, promoting the development of AI skills, and instituting ethical AI principles that respect African culture and values.
Other critical areas of focus include the establishment of technical standards for AI safety and security, the acceleration of AI investment, the enhancement of regional cooperation, and the promotion of African participation in global AI governance.
Phases of Implementation
The Continental AI Strategy delineates a five-year implementation period from 2025 to 2030, which is divided into two phases.
The establishment of governance frameworks, the development of national AI strategies, the mobilization of resources, and the enhancement of capacities within the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, specialized agencies, and member states are the primary objectives of the initial phase, which spans 2025-2026.
The practical implementation of critical projects and initiatives enumerated in the continental AI strategy is the primary focus of the subsequent phase, which spans from 2027 to 2030.
African Advancements in Artificial Intelligence
Algeria, Benin, Egypt, Mauritius, Rwanda, and Senegal are the only six African countries that have devised stand-alone AI strategies as of July 2024.
Kenya, South Africa, and Uganda are among the countries that are integrating AI with emergent technologies, such as blockchain.
Nevertheless, a number of countries, such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda, have made substantial progress in the establishment of AI policies and institutions to promote AI development.
