African governments have been urged to make substantial investments in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to address the persistent challenges facing their education and agricultural sectors.
Artificial Intelligence expert Mr Pelumi Oladokun stated this in a press release made available to The PUNCH on Saturday. He said, “Africa must key into the AI revolution to solve its challenges in healthcare, education, and agriculture, among others.”
According to him, the development of AI talent, alongside significant investments in digital infrastructure, will be essential for Africa to remain competitive in the global AI economy.
“AI is already driving economic growth, but to fully harness its potential, Africa must continue refining its strategies, addressing governance issues, and ensuring that AI technologies benefit all Africans, particularly those in underserved communities,” Oladokun said.
He added that a deep understanding of socio-economic and cultural contexts is crucial to developing impactful AI solutions.
“AI’s relevance extends beyond technological advancements; it represents a massive opportunity for economic transformation. Africa’s AI ecosystem is already diverse, with over 669 startups spread across 54 countries,” he noted.
“These startups are actively working in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and finance, leveraging innovations in machine learning, natural language processing, and deep learning,” Oladokun added.
