The Growing Importance of Artificial Intelligence in Africa
The increasing importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa, both technologically and economically, took center stage on the first day of the 7th edition of AfricArena.
Nawel Souissi: AI as a Strategic Technology for Africa
Dr. Nawel Souissi, Dean of AI School, kicked off the panel by highlighting the strategic role of AI for Tunisia and the entire continent. According to her, AI is not just about following global trends, but offers unprecedented opportunities to transform the local ecosystem in depth. "We need to think about how to evolve and dynamize the AI ecosystem in Africa, while elevating its level to be competitive," she declared, emphasizing that this challenge concerns not only technology but also the entrepreneurial environment and the talents that must support this evolution.
Souissi stressed the importance of talent formation in this ecosystem. She argued that universities must go beyond their traditional role of transmitting theoretical knowledge and get closer to startups and enterprises. "It's not just about preparing talents for the existing ecosystem, but also thinking about how to integrate enterprises and why not create incubators within AI universities," she affirmed. This approach, according to her, would create effective synergies between the academic and entrepreneurial worlds, a necessity for Africa to progress in the era of AI.
Transitioning to AI-Integrated Industrial Models
Souissi also addressed the crucial point of transitioning from traditional industrial models to those that integrate AI. She noted that AI is gradually infiltrating all sectors, profoundly redefining jobs and industries. "Tomorrow's jobs will not be the same as today's, and it is essential to raise awareness about these transformations," she added, emphasizing the importance of preparing society for the impact of AI. According to her, raising awareness about these challenges is crucial for a successful adoption of AI.
Other Panelists: AI in Various Sectors
The other panelists echoed Souissi's vision, each illustrating the importance of AI in different sectors. Llew Claasou, co-founder and manager of Newton Partners, discussed the technical aspect of choosing AI models. He stressed the importance of selecting precise models and adapting them to the specific needs of enterprises. For Claasou, this ability to personalize AI models enables optimal responses to the challenges faced by businesses.
Ibra Diouf, Senior PM at Microsoft, highlighted the intimate relationship between AI and data. He reminded the audience that AI heavily relies on quality data to function effectively. "Without reliable data, AI cannot reach its full potential," he specified. Data not only fuels AI but also enables it to continuously improve, creating a virtuous cycle where AI and data mutually reinforce each other.
Wassima Saber, representative of MW International Services, introduced an environmental dimension to the discussion. She emphasized the impact AI can have on the health of our planet. According to her, more and more startups are using AI to develop ecological solutions aimed at reducing carbon footprint. "AI plays a fundamental role in identifying solutions that can help heal the planet," she declared. By analyzing complex data, these startups can offer innovative responses to environmental challenges, ranging from natural resource management to carbon emission reduction.
Conclusion: AI as a Lever for Economic, Social, and Environmental Transformation
In conclusion, despite the varied areas of expertise among the panelists, a central idea emerged: Artificial Intelligence is more than just a technology – it is a lever for economic, social, and environmental transformation in Africa. Whether it's to improve business competitiveness, optimize data exploitation, or promote ecological initiatives, AI is an indispensable element of the continent's technological future.
