Mapping policy and capacity for artificial intelligence for development in Africa
Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques are poised to enhance productivity, innovation, and help countries across sub-Saharan Africa achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. However, as with any technology, the potential transformative benefits come with challenges that need to be managed and moderated. For example, applied AI can have ramifications on already precarious livelihoods, threaten basic human rights, and undermine democratic processes.
Earlier research established that unlocking AI’s potential and mitigating its prospective harms are key for advancing AI policy that promotes responsible development and deployment. This project seeks to improve understanding of AI policy and capacity in Africa to support responsible AI for development, and it will act as a baseline for future AI programming in Africa.
The project will map AI use, policies, and regulations across Africa. Following this mapping exercise, there will be “deep dives” in four or five countries to explore current AI policy and to understand the needs of policymakers with respect to AI. There will also be more in-depth thematic papers focused on key AI themes such as video surveillance, AI and the future of work, AI and gender, biases of African AI, and climate change. The capacity work will provide funding for three machine-learning doctoral students placed at universities in Francophone Africa, East Africa, and southern Africa. This will test the mechanisms and viability of subsidies for supporting masters and doctoral students.
Project ID
109307
Project Status
Active
Duration
38 months
IDRC Officer
Matthew Smith
Total Funding
CA$ 570,000.00
Location
Kenya
Senegal
South Africa
South of Sahara
Programs
Institution Country
South Africa
Institution
Research ICT Africa
Institution Website
Institution Country
Kenya
Project Leader
Isaac Rutenberg
Institution
Strathmore University
Institution Country
South Africa
Project Leader
Naila Govan-Vassen
Institution
Research ICT Africa
Institution Website
Institution Country
South Africa
Project Leader
Vukosi Marivate
Institution
University of Pretoria
Institution Website
Outputs
| DSAIL power management board : powering the Raspberry Pi autonomously off the grid Article
The Raspberry Pi is a credit card sized single board computer that finds its use in very diverse projects. Being a computer it runs on a full operating system and can be interfaced with a wide range of hardware. Its ability to collect and store data and its superior processing capabilities gives it an edge over other microprocessors. When used to collect data away from the grid, alternative methods of powering the Raspberry Pi have to be used. An ideal powering system should be autonomous, allowing the Raspberry Pi to be deployed indefinitely without the need to check on the system due to power shortcomings. In this paper we introduce the DSAIL Power Management Board that is used to power the Raspberry Pi autonomously. We have developed a prototype and used it to collect ecological data from a conservancy in Central Kenya. Author(s): Kiarie, Gabriel, Kabi, Jason, Ciira wa Maina Language: English |
Mapping policy and capacity for artificial intelligence for development in Africa - centre Report
The Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) project aimed to build an academic body of work accessible to policymakers, able to inform and influence AI policy locally and regionally. This would also help enhance the reputation and credibility of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law (CIPIT) among AI stakeholders in Africa. Compared with AI developed elsewhere, findings indicate differences in motivation for developing AI, as well as adoption processes. This report reviews activities, achievements and publications emerging from the study. Other parts of the inquiry focused on gender issues such as bias and sensitivity, and climate change adaptation and mitigation. Author(s): Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Technology Law Language: English |
Mapping policy and capacity for artificial intelligence for development in Africa Report
The report covers activities, outputs and outcomes of the project, with embedded links to policy papers and briefs. Overall, it aimed to improve understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy and capacity in Africa, and to support responsible artificial intelligence for development (AI4D). The project entailed mapping the application of AI on the continent in three thematic areas: (1) digital ID and biometrics; (2) computer vision and video surveillance; (3) capacity and workforce development. Each of the thematic areas included consideration of gender implications. A fourth thematic area examined trends in AI and fintech. Fintech refers to the integration of technology in financial services from a gender perspective. Author(s): Sey, Araba, Razzano, Gabriella, Rens, Andrew, Ahmed, Shamira Language: English |
Artificial intelligence : labour gender gap in Africa Brief
The study identified sex disaggregation in terms of overall disaggregation, industry and position (managerial or otherwise). The total number of men and women is 977 and 406, respectively in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) workforce in Africa as revealed in a survey of 160 companies across 21 countries. The project maps the gender composition of AI projects and companies across Africa, capturing the diversity struggles particular to AI start-ups. It examines what those struggles exemplify in an African context and determines the mechanisms that can be put in place to curb them. Graphics illustrate the study results. Author(s): Ondili, Mitchel Language: English |