Africa AI Council has been established by Smart Africa, an alliance of 40 African countries representing over 1 billion people, to position Africa as a leader in the global artificial intelligence (AI) space.
The Council, comprising of stakeholders from government, private sector as well as “prominent” tech specialists from civil society and academia, is expected to spearhead Africa’s ambitions to uniquely position itself in the AI age.
“The establishment of the Africa AI Council marks a significant step towards realizing Africa’s potential in the AI-driven global economy,” CEO of Smart Africa Lacina Koné, said. “AI is not just technology to us, it’s an African arrow that, when thrown with the right ethical frameworks and inclusive policies, can pierce the way to African digital prosperity and resilience for the benefit of every citizen.”
Africa, home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce, stands to benefit immensely from the productivity gains offered by AI technologies. The continent has a unique opportunity to design the workforce of the future, driven by AI-enabled industries, thereby accelerating digital transformation and enhancing economic competitiveness.
The Council will serve as a catalyst for these ambitions, working in synergy with ongoing national and continental efforts. By aligning and amplifying initiatives, the Council aims to unlock AI’s vast potential to accelerate growth and foster inclusive transformation across Africa.
The Africa AI Council’s mission includes fostering collaboration, knowledge exchange, and innovation to position Africa as a strategic actor in the global AI landscape. It will work to ensure that AI technologies are harnessed in ways that benefit all segments of society, driving inclusive growth.
The inaugural 15-member Council will be formally unveiled at the upcoming Global AI Summit on Africa, hosted by Rwanda’s Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) and Rwanda’s Ministry of ICT and Innovation, in partnership with the World Economic Forum.
