While some prominent industry figures have expressed concern about the potential risks and consequences of AI, others believe the fears are overblown.

Africa is increasingly adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address its specific challenges, even though preparedness levels vary from country to country, said Mustapha Zaouini, President of AI in Africa.

The adoption of AI on the continent is advancing at a steady pace, despite issues such as disparity in Internet access," adding that bridging the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to technology are "crucial steps to prepare for the impact of AI in Africa,” Zaouini explained during his speech at a round table at GITEX Africa 2023.

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and its transformative impact on African business, society and culture took center stage at GITEX Africa 2023. Experts from around the world gathered to discuss and advance this revolutionary technology, the event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the potential of AI to address pressing African problems such as poverty, unemployment and inequality.

Although some leading figures in this field have expressed concern about the potential risks and consequences of AI, others believe the fears are overblown. However, what is clear is that AI is on the verge of becoming the next big global technological shift, with the potential to revolutionize African businesses and societies.

Simon See, Global Director of Nvidia's AI Technology Center in Singapore, highlighted the growing demand for AI expertise in Africa. He stressed that with the right investments and policies, AI can help the continent achieve its development goals and improve the lives of its inhabitants.

“In Africa, demand for AI skills is projected to grow by 36% between 2020 and 2025,” said See, whose company specializes in AI chips. «This growth is driven by Africa's young population and investments made in start-ups and innovation. The expansion of AI is creating new employment opportunities as companies seek experts to develop and implement AI-powered products and services.

The GITEX Africa AI Summit also featured Adel Alsharji, COO of Presight, an AI-powered big data analytics company based in the UAE, who gave a speech on the societal impact of artificial intelligence.

Alsharji highlighted Africa's growing momentum in AI adoption, emphasizing its willingness to explore and harness the potential of AI for economic growth and addressing local challenges. He noted that demand for AI-related jobs in Africa is expected to double in the next three years.

Mustapha Zaouini, whose organization AI in Africa aims to empower African youth for an AI-inclusive future, concluded that AI should be seen as a tool to skip traditional stages of development, while placing African talent at the forefront. vanguard of a new global workforce.

“The social impact of AI in Africa is immense and will revolutionize the way we work and live,” said Zaouini. "After the Internet, AI represents an even bigger revolution."

Attendees from 120 countries explored the potential of AI and its impact on various sectors at Gitex Africa. Exhibitors and panelists showed how AI is driving innovation in fields such as education, agriculture, transportation, retail, energy and logistics.

Source: MoroccoWorldNews