By Kehad Snydewel, Chief Executive Officer of Green Enterprise Solutions.
Due to my job, there isn't a single day that passes without people questioning me about Artificial Intelligence (AI); the hype and enthusiasm are unavoidable. Yet, I manage my clients' expectations. AI isn't a miracle solution, particularly in Africa. In Africa, we need to concentrate on African Artificial Intelligence (AAI). A genuinely customized form of AI for the African continent. The key point to keep in mind is that we can't apply broad solutions to individual and specific issues.
Artificial Intelligence presents significant opportunities for Africa to foster development, creativity, and economic expansion. While removing coders, engineers, and data analysts might appear beneficial from a cost-saving standpoint, the actual situation is more complex. The belief that tools like ChatGPT or Copilot can handle everything has already led to issues. Entrusting your organization's future to AI is encountering difficulties. These obstacles are even more pronounced in Namibia.
Namibians express themselves in unique ways; we would instantly recognize if we were interacting with a Chatbot due to the way it phrases things, for instance. AI solutions that function well elsewhere might not be effective here. Artificial Intelligence is typically developed in English using Large Language Models (LLMs) and doesn't consider local languages. This can lead to significant bias, particularly in African nations. It is essential to invest in African Artificial Intelligence (AAI). We need to support and develop AI that meets the specific needs of Namibia and Africa. This is where programmers, engineers, and experts play a crucial role.
This is the reason Green Enterprise Solutions is enhancing its employees' skills, not just to comprehend but also to provide them with the knowledge needed to utilize AAI for their clients. If we succeed in using AAI effectively and integrating it within companies, turning it into a supportive and progressive tool, it becomes a highly valuable resource. A resource that can drive growth, improve operational efficiency, and enhance service delivery.
AI can be put into practice; we require prompts and code that are tailored to how Africans interact with one another, including their language and local expressions. We acknowledge and grasp the powerful potential of AI. The African Union (AU) has created a strategy specific to Africa, known as the Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy. This encourages an Africa-centered, development-oriented approach to AI, highlighting ethical, responsible, and fair practices.
What if we fail to adapt current AI models like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, or Copilot to suit the unique socio-economic conditions of Africa? We will constantly be behind. This is why African Artificial Intelligence (AAI) is essential, and it should be developed by Africans for the continent. This presents new job opportunities. It needs to include policies ensuring that AI tools respect cultural norms, safeguard personal rights, and account for local language differences. With over a billion people on our continent, it would be unreasonable not to have AI systems tailored for Africa.
One of the major issues Africa encounters is the digital gap. Local specialists and businesses need to play a key role in the AAI transformation throughout Africa, yet AI in Africa is still at an early stage. If we make sure that we develop and code the models according to our language and culture, the continent will be unstoppable, on our own terms.
We should not be afraid of AI, and even though certain jobs might disappear, new professions and possibilities will emerge. Our role as humans in the context of AI is not just significant; we are crucial as Africans for shaping the future of AI.
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