Empowering Africa Through AI: The Launch of ACTS AI Institute
By Hikmatu Bilali
In a significant move, Africa proclaims self-reliance in AI development with the inauguration of the ACTS AI Institute. This initiative focuses on fostering responsible AI research, innovation, and governance driven by local values and global cooperation.
The Vision of ACTS AI Institute
The African Centre for Technology Studies introduces the ACTS AI Institute (ACAII) as an ethical hub for African-centered AI solutions. The institute aims to promote sustainable development, empower local communities, and ensure AI technologies align with Africa’s distinctive values and priorities.
Empowering African Communities
Professor Tom Peter Migun Ogada, the Executive Director of ACTS, emphasizes that the institute leverages five years of experience to enhance the development and implementation of responsible AI solutions and policies on a continental scale.
Partnerships and Initiatives
Supported by the AI for Development (AI4D) program, ACAII collaborates with various organizations like the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and the FCDO to build on the foundation set by the AI4D Scholarship Program. This initiative empowers researchers from underrepresented communities to create AI solutions tailored for Africa.
Mission and Impact Areas
The institute focuses on responsible AI solutions, policy development, job creation, capacity building, and data science to address challenges in agriculture, healthcare, education, and climate resilience. Initiatives include AI-driven weather prediction models for farmers and telemedicine platforms for remote healthcare access.
Economic Inclusion and Education
ACAII views AI as a catalyst for economic empowerment by analyzing labor trends and promoting AI-driven entrepreneurship to create new industries and job opportunities for young Africans. The institute also prioritizes education and collaborates with policymakers and educators to enhance AI governance and ethics.
Building Partnerships for Impact
To extend its influence, ACAII forms partnerships with government, academia, civil society, the private sector, and the media. This collaborative approach aims to responsibly scale innovations and ensure AI benefits reach marginalized communities.
Closing the AI Gap in Africa
Despite Africa’s developing interest in AI, the region lags in global AI rankings. ACAII is committed to bridging this gap by creating tailor-made AI policies, ethical standards, and local toolkits to foster responsible scaling in Africa.
The future of AI in Africa lies in local innovation and sustainable development achieved through collaborative efforts and a people-centric approach.
