One of the 38 members of the new UN advisory body on machine learning, Mr. Ndiaye spoke UN news on the future landscape, drawing on his experience in helping to drive Senegal’s digital transformation in higher education, as an expert at the African Union in drafting the Pan-African Strategy on Artificial Intelligence and contributing to the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) .
UN News: How could artificial intelligence help Africa?
Seydina Moussa Ndiaye: There are several African countries that are starting to have a dedicated AI strategy. However, there is a pan-African strategy that will be published soon, with a continental vision for the development of artificial intelligence.
More and more young people starting startups are interested in this and have a real thirst for knowledge in the field of artificial intelligence. This growing interest can be accelerated with international assistance.
However, there is a wall in some areas and AI can actually be used to solve some problems, including agriculture. In the health sector, artificial intelligence could actually solve many problems, especially the problem of understaffing.
The other element that is also very important is the development of cultural identity. Africa has been seen as a continent with a cultural identity that could not be imposed on the whole world. With the development of artificial intelligence, we could use this channel so that African cultural identities are better known and appreciated.
UN News: Are There Bad Sides of Artificial Intelligence Threatening Africa?
Seydina Moussa Ndiaye: The biggest threat to me is colonization. We may end up with large multinationals in artificial intelligence that will impose their solutions across the continent, leaving no room for the creation of local solutions.
Most of the data currently generated in Africa is owned by multinationals whose infrastructure is being developed outside the continent, where most of Africa’s AI experts also operate. It is a waste of African talent.
The other important element to consider is in the context of the fourth industrial revolution. The power of artificial intelligence combined with advances in biotechnology or technology could be harnessed and Africa could be the place where all these new solutions are really tested.
If left unchecked, we could end up with human trials with chips or even embedded biotech components that we’re improving. These are technologies that we don’t really have a good grasp of. In regulatory terms, there are some aspects that have not been taken into account. The framework itself for implementing the ideas and existing regulations is not effective.
Under certain conditions, and when you don’t control these things, it could happen without anyone knowing. We could use Africa as a guinea pig to test new solutions and that could be a big, big threat to the continent.
UN News: Do you think the new UN artificial intelligence advisory group will be a platform to bring these issues to the table?
Seydina Moussa Ndiaye: Yes absolutely. We started our work and it’s really wide open. These are high-level people who have a good understanding of international issues and there are no taboo subjects.
It is important that the voice of Africa is represented in the group. International scientific cooperation will be strengthened and not limited to the great powers. Internationally, it includes everyone and also helps her less developed countries.
Currently, there is a real gap, and if this is not resolved, we risk increasing inequalities.