Artificial intelligence was one of the major tsunamis that happened in the tech industry in the previous year, and to the world in extension, it dominated the mainstream for long periods, with growing influence of the technology. Notable actors in the field have weighed the boons and banes as to the sustainability of the technology prioritizing human-centric position to curb harmful approach that will be exploitive and detrimental. It is now a serious concern in Africa, the need for functional regulatory framework for AI which will not only serve as an opportunity for the continent to look at the benefits, financially and also human development as the population of young people in the continent is fast surging and prevent exploitative gains of the people who look to use advantage of their ultra-modern technology know-how.
European Union had agreed to potentially regulate AI, while promoting the development of the technology, the utmost need to address the risk associated with the technology. The legislation bans harmful AI practices considered to be a clear threat to people’s safety, livelihoods and rights. The landmark legislation called AI Act becomes world’s first major comprehensive artificial intelligence laws. It is development in good direction if African Union can sit on the issue and deliberate how it is going to be an asset to African people, making it purely African law, which is, taking every survey and findings on how it take to shape the continent and its people to give a positive new look by emerging as attractive hub for investment friendly atmosphere, and deviate from importing foreign laws which will be impracticable in Africa.
Regulatory Framework a template for growth
It becomes out of control where there is no legislation to control and bring to order mode of operation. The growing fears of artificial intelligence facilitated the need for clear legislation, not necessarily subsidiary legislations, where the governments of the continent will folds hands and await on how the technology transcend and evolve, it is a step in dangerous direction which will further as always set the continent backwards on important trends on human capital development. Where there is set out rules and regulations it offers a template to which the technology operates, all the actors involved in the industry will be extensively guided in line with legislation and that extends to consumers, and that gives a balanced approach.
This is to provide measures for harmful AI practices that exploit specific vulnerable group, generative AI like OpenAI’s ChatGPT which is capable of generating clones, cloning voices and all whatnot. And it has posed constant puzzle on differentiating between real images and AI generated images. Students are finding solace with artificial intelligence and continue to lean towards the technology for school assignments and studying. Educators and parents probably will be uncomfortable with the outcome, which will jettison the value and ethics of hard work following due process to complete a work, and the reliability and accuracy of information provided by artificial intelligence. The wave of artificial intelligence has infested almost every sector, failure to provide regulatory framework will further expose citizens to harm and trampling on unprotected rights, which is supposed to be protected, through regulatory framework.
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AI Could provide bright start for younger generation in Africa
Drawing comparison with African youth and their counterparts in the West, a lot of leadership related problems have backdated the continent, and younger generation cannot see beyond any future, for them it is totally bleak and that’s why there are high in numbers in many countries in the West searching for better opportunities and feeding on organised structure, as opposed to the position in Africa. African governments need to delve into this technology market and provide bright start for younger generation in Africa, it is a pathway to building future, Africa has the youngest population in the world, which makes it the most attractive destination for the technology market. When African governments enable favourable environment for investments, big techs companies will come in, partnership with local enterprises that will enhance knowledge and required skills for growth.
Building collective partnership is of great importance, progressively Rwanda, South Africa and Mauritius have undertaken that route in understanding AI within their country to provide wider picture and to adopt wholly human-centric approach. While many African countries are into deep tranches of financial woes, they lack the financial freedom to conduct extensive research. They can also benefit from UNESCO-EU partnership on AI. Africa should focus on studies that will meet their unique needs in regulating AI, and holistic education on AI.
