AI & African Enterprises: April 2023 Newsletter
Newsletter Originally Published April 24, 2023
😨 AI "Threats" from Without & Within Africa
In some ways, the "threat" AI poses seems distant to "more pressing" every day African concerns. In other ways, the threat ranks as urgent as in countries further along in the fourth industrial revolution.
Earlier this month, leaked audio of Nigerian Presidential candidate Peter Obi in conversation with influential Nigerian Pastor David Oyedepo led to suggestions the recording was a "deep fake". While the allegations remain unsubstantiated, they reinforce concerns around the possibility for bad actors to leverage AI to foment political and social unrest. Vice also reported on deep fake videos of American-accented avatars purportedly supporting the military junta in Burkina Faso.
In a piece for Foreign Policy, Joseph B. Keller discussed what he sees as the risks posed by China's investment in Africa's subsea cables (infrastructure key to scaling AI). We think Mr. Keller's piece echos recent American handwringing over perceived growing Chinese and Russian influence in Africa. However, we also think African policy makers should account for and guard against the potential for internal and external actors to leverage AI and digital infrastructure to incite instability in Africa.
Takeaway: The threat AI poses to political unrest in Africa is very real, even if individual cases are unsubstantiated. Concerns around investment in digital infrastructure should be weighed judicially, and not instinctively prejudiced against China, but with a view towards the betterment of Africa.
We look forward to keeping you informed of the products, deals and partnerships shaping the future of AI in Africa on the last Monday of every month.
Questions, comments, feedback? Get in touch hello {at ) ajalaco.com!
—Team ajala