Tech leaders, academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond have gathered in Lagos, Nigeria, for the 2024 Pan-African AI Conference to explore the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI). Co-hosted by the United States, the event is a key milestone in shaping Africa’s technological future.
Nigeria’s Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasized the need for a collaborative approach in AI development. “For us to truly harness artificial intelligence to our collective benefit, we must be deliberate and collaborative in our approach,” he stated. Tijani also announced a $61,000 AI fund to support Nigeria’s brightest AI startups.
Lagos, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of Africa, set the stage for the conference, attracting delegates from over 30 African countries, alongside counterparts from the US. The event fostered discussions on how AI can shape the continent’s future.
Dr. Seth Center, Acting Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, outlined two major challenges for AI development: establishing a safe and secure governance framework that fosters innovation, and creating a business environment conducive to private sector investment in AI.
The collaboration between Nigeria and the US underscored the importance of cross-continental partnerships in advancing technological innovation, with AI seen as a powerful tool for driving economic and social development across Africa.
(AP)
