At the GITEX Nigeria 2025 conference in Abuja, the need for creating artificial intelligence that reflects the continent's cultural diversity was discussed.
Challenges for Africa in the AI Era
The conference highlighted the risk of losing Africa's cultural heritage without developing AI that considers local languages and traditions. Kashifu Inuwa, Director General of NITDA, stated that current AI tools do not reflect the continent's diversity, which could lead to the erasure of languages and cultural histories.
Government Support for Innovation in Nigeria
The government has allocated funds to 45 startups focused on AI and is developing a national AI strategy. Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized the need for creating an ethical and responsible environment for AI adoption. This could serve as a blueprint for other African countries.
Action Plan for Africa
A four-point action plan was presented at the conference, including: - Developing human capital through training programs. - Investing in infrastructure for local data processing. - Creating strong policies to support innovation. - Supporting startups and research institutions through partnerships with global tech giants.
The GITEX conference emphasized the importance of collective efforts among African countries to secure their place in the future digital economy and protect their unique cultural heritage.
