The Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Africa

Africa has a rare chance to increase its competitiveness through the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a technology that can propel developing economies on a trajectory of sustainable development. AI can assist in addressing the economic issues that Africa is facing, from education, agriculture and remote health to interpreting the 2,000 or so languages that are spoken across the continent.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the emulation of human intelligence in devices that have been designed to behave and think like humans. The ideal characteristic of artificial intelligence is its ability to rationalize and take actions that have the best chance of achieving a specific goal.

According to the report “The role of artificial intelligence in achieving SDGs” AI may act as an enabler for 79% of SDGs through technological improvements. 

In agriculture, AI could potentially benefit Africa by early detection of diseases and automation on farms. Africa is expected to experience a 50% decline in agricultural production as a result of climate change by 2030. There is a need to explore new approaches to creating resilient food systems by spotting crop diseases and viruses, keeping an eye on the health of the soil, and making the best use of water. Agriculture will be more efficient and effective, with increased yields and a reduction in poverty. 

By automating medical operations, AI technology has the ability to completely change the healthcare system in Africa. AI can enable medical personnel to deliver more with their limited resources by automating medical procedures. Some organizations are already adopting AI for healthcare in Africa, which include; 

  1. minoHealth AI Labs in Ghana – They are automating radiology by applying deep learning and an algorithm known as a convolutional neural network.
  2. Philips Foundation – They have successfully implemented AI software, developed by Delft Imaging, in 11 South African hospitals to help triage and monitor COVID-19 patients via X-ray imaging.
  3. In Tanzania and Zambia, Delft Institute’s CAD4TB software has been used to assess the utilization of the computer-aided analysis of pulmonary tuberculosis from chest radiographs.

AI has the ability to reduce treatment costs and enhance outcomes. AI promises top-notch medical operations and diagnostic services through essential technological applications. It will modernize life-saving compliance measures while increasing supply-chain efficiencies with little administrative work.

The adoption and use of Artificial intelligence in education in Africa is still in the early stages. Integrating AI capabilities will help make education on the continent accessible, efficient, and personalized, allowing improved access and active participation. With the use of AI, assignments and lessons may be tailored to each student’s abilities, needs, and interests, and their performance across tests could be examined to identify the most appropriate resources to support learning.

AI will provide teachers in African educational institutions flexibility. Using AI might make attending classes, marking papers, and other tasks easier depending on the technology used, improving the quality and experience of teaching as a whole. The application of AI could help teachers recognize the unique learning needs and skills of each student and create strategies to meet those needs.

Conclusively, AI is no longer a distant possibility but an inevitable reality in almost all fields. The world is encouraging the use of AI to uncover and enhance solutions in industries including healthcare, agriculture, and education. AI enables the construction of tools that can help many sectors foresee future difficulties and develop solutions through analysis.

Kickstart your data analytics or data science career by joining the next Blossom Academy bootcamp. Express interest at www.blossom.africa or email us at [email protected]

Tags :
#Africa,#Analytics,#ArtificialIntelligence,#Data,#DataScience,#DeepLearning,#Education,#HealthCare,#SDGs
Share This :