AI advancements in Africa create a new arena of competition for China and the US. Both countries are now vying to influence the development, utilization, and regulation of artificial intelligence in Africa. Meanwhile, African nations are working to establish their own AI policies.
Recent efforts by the US and China involve collaborating with African countries to attract AI investments and shape policy. At a business summit in Nairobi, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and the Kenyan government inked a partnership agreement to facilitate American companies’ investments in artificial intelligence and data centres in Kenya.
On the other hand, China expressed its intent to work with African nations on AI during the China-Africa internet summit in Xiamen. Several African countries have begun formulating national AI strategies, with some already published and others in various stages of development. Despite the growing demand for AI regulation, it has not been widely adopted across the continent. Emmanuel Kimeu, the secretary of ICT Security in Kenya’s technology ministry, highlighted the need for new laws to govern AI in Kenya, drawing parallels to the unregulated launch of the mobile money service M-Pesa in 2008.
Stakeholder engagement is crucial in the process of developing regulations for the AI sector to avoid hindering innovation. African countries must invest significantly in AI research, development, policy formulation, and implementation to prevent potential risks such as data breaches, financial losses, and biases in AI systems.
Keeping up with global trends, including the EU’s AI Act and China’s proposed AI draft law, is vital to ensuring Africa leverages AI’s potential benefits in various sectors. African leaders will have an opportunity to adopt the African Union’s AI policy framework at the upcoming AU Heads of State summit in February. The framework includes recommendations for regulatory sandboxes, national AI councils, and certification bodies to oversee responsible AI deployment. Leaders will need to navigate the process of enacting these laws in their respective countries.
