Africa’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) ecosystem may be small, but it is growing quickly. From assisting cashew farmers in Ghana to optimising solar panels in Namibia and enhancing healthcare delivery in Rwanda, AI is already proving transformative. Investment into the sector is also gaining momentum as the global AI market is predicted to skyrocket from $387 billion in 2022 to a projected $1,394 billion by 2029, boasting a compelling CAGR of 20%. The promise of AI in Africa is not without perils, however. The continent’s persistent infrastructure constraints, from power grid deficits to limited internet connectivity, present challenges, while AI is also being deployed for negative purposes, including autonomous weapons systems and surveillance platforms in armed conflicts.

In this session, our speakers discussed the promise and perils of AI in Africa, analysing investment opportunities, risks, ethical and security challenges, and the African Union’s draft Continental AI Strategy.

Speakers: