Cancelling Democracy: The Rule Of Flaw MAL 67:2025 | Page 42

AI

By William Baraza

Artificial Intelligence( AI) is transforming global operations- altering agricultural practices, medical diagnostics, logistics, and governmental interactions with citizens. For Africa, this transcends a mere technological trend. This is a pivotal opportunity to surpass outdated infrastructure and address fundamental developmental issues.

Africa can utilize AI to develop more intelligent societies, stimulate economic growth, and promote digital inclusion, given its youthful demographic, increasing mobile penetration, and burgeoning innovation centers. However, for this to occur, the commitment must be supported by investment, policy coherence, and ethical execution.

Agriculture constitutes the foundation of numerous African economies, engaging 60-70 % of the labor force. However, low productivity, climate change, and market inefficiencies continue to endure. Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the landscape. AI-driven drones and sensors can assist farmers in monitoring crop health, optimizing irrigation, and early pest detection. Machine learning instruments anticipate weather patterns, agricultural yields, and disease outbreaks to facilitate decision-making using predictive analytics. Several tools have been developed to provide market linkages by utilizing AI to align supply with demand, thereby enhancing farmer incomes. An example in Kenya is Twiga Foods platform that links farmers to consumers to provide sustainable markets for farmers.

In Nigeria, Zenvus employs AI sensors to deliver real-time soil data to smallholder farmers, thereby enhancing yields and minimizing input waste. Africa confronts significant deficiencies in physicians, specialists, and diagnostic resources. Artificial intelligence can bridge the gap and democratize access to high-quality healthcare. AI algorithms in medical imaging identify tuberculosis, pneumonia, and cancers in X-rays with accuracy comparable to that of radiologists. Chatbots and mobile applications utilizing natural language processing( NLP) deliver initial triage and health information. AI facilitates the monitoring of infectious disease outbreaks and informs vaccination initiatives. Another example is the AI startup Insightiv in Rwanda, that employs computer vision to expedite diagnostic imaging for hospitals with a scarcity of radiologists.

Educational systems throughout Africa face challenges such as overcrowded classrooms, insufficient teaching staff, and diverse learner requirements. Artificial intelligence can assist educators and revolutionize education. Tools such as M-Shule in Kenya employ AI to customize educational material according to each learner ' s pace and performance. Intelligent tutoring systems and grading assistants can alleviate teachers ' workloads, allowing them to concentrate on mentorship. AIdriven translation and speech recognition render educational resources accessible in native languages.

The implementation of personalized AI platforms enhances student retention and academic performance, especially in underprivileged rural educational institutions.

Chatbots and digital assistants can enhance accessibility to government services, particularly in local languages. AI tools can also be used to scrutinize public finance data to identify procurement fraud and fictitious employees. Applying computer vision and satellite imagery, artificial intelligence can assist cities in optimizing transportation, housing, and utilities.

To fulfil this great AI promise countries in SSA need to overcome several challenges including, insufficient local data for model training, insufficient infrastructure( electricity, data centers, broadband Internet), insufficient AI expertise and research financing, absence of thorough policy and ethical frameworks.

Africa requires investment in digital infrastructure, specifically in broadband, cloud services, and energy, to close the gap. Additionally, Africa needs, to develop and enhance its human capital. There’ s also need for pan-African policy collaboration to facilitate open data ecosystems for secure and responsible access to high-quality local data including establishment of cohesive frameworks that reconcile innovation with protection.

Artificial intelligence is not merely a technology; it is an instrument for transformation. It can enable farmers, educators, healthcare professionals, and governments to achieve greater outcomes with fewer resources. It has the potential to enhance Africa ' s human capital and address distinctly African challenges through innovative, localized solutions.

If Africa makes significant investments in Artificial Intelligence today, it can emerge as one of the global leaders in inclusive, ethical, and impactful technology for now and in the future.

William Baraza is Director and Chief Executive Officer, African Advanced Level Telecommunications Institute. You can commune with him via email at: WBaraza @ afralti. org.

42 MAL67 / 25 ISSUE