Prof Jerry John Kponyo advocates for the advancement of AI in Africa at the 3i Africa Summit

Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, the Principal Investigator (PI) and Scientific Director of the Responsible Artificial Intelligence Lab (RAIL) advocated for an enabling environment for AI at the 3i Africa Summit in Accra. The summit, organised by the Bank of Ghana and the Financial Inclusion Forum Africa (FIF Africa), focused on driving Africa’s transformation through innovations in the financial sector.

During the Digital Public Infrastructure Dialogues session under the Mobile Telephony for Development (MT4D) track organised by the Ghana Chamber of Telecommunications (GCT) on May 15th, 2024, Prof. Kponyo highlighted the importance of establishing conducive conditions for AI adoption and economic participation. He emphasised that for Africa to effectively harness the potential of AI in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is crucial to learn from past experiences where the continent lagged in previous industrial revolutions. He iterated the need to create a conducive environment for broader AI participation and sharing knowledge and skill sets beyond traditional classroom settings. He stressed the importance of establishing robust structures to ensure that Africa remains at the forefront of the new era.

He also highlighted three crucial points outlined in the UN interim report: creating the necessary infrastructure for supporting AI solutions, ensuring the availability of data to empower African enterprises, and building capacity and talent to drive economic transformations.

In line with capacity building and training, Prof. Kponyo discussed RAIL’s initiatives to engage with Junior and Senior High schools in Robotics training and competitions. These initiatives raise awareness about AI and provide opportunities for students to explore its potential, preparing them for the future.

Additionally, he proposed revising the curriculum to integrate AI-related subjects, ensuring that students are adequately prepared for the future. “The curriculum needs to be revised to reflect what the industry needs,” he intimated.

He also advocated for AI solutions with the differently-abled in mind and made affordable for all. He said a national AI strategy is needed to govern and guide AI, and these strategies need to be implemented when created.

Other panellists, including Mr. Darlington Akogo, Founder and CEO of minoHealth AI Labs, Mr. Jeremy Quainoo, General Manager, Africa Operation, JUMO and Ms. Uyoyo Edosio, Principal ICT and Innovation Expert, African Development Bank, spoke on the theme, ‘Integrating Generative AI with Digital Public Infrastructure: Pathways to Enhanced Efficiency and Inclusivity. Ama Akuamoan, Director of Market Engagement at Opportunity International, moderated the panel discussion.