Capacity building is the key to bridging an all-inclusive AI development gap

By Professor Felix Dakora

On July 1, the 78th UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution "Enhancing International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence". This China-led proposal was co-sponsored by over 140 UN member states and highlighted “capacity building” as the key in addressing the many issues surrounding AI in a tumultuous world.

AI technology is advancing at dazzling speed, everyone can see it. Yet another noticeable trend is the ever-widening gap among countries in terms of stages or sophistication of applying AI. While some countries are already making great leaps in exploiting various “Large Language Models” and “Generative AIs”, there are still those yet to work on their readiness. Such is seriousness of the “digital divide” that has been pinpointed by the China-led UN resolution. Ignorance of it will not only bring huge challenges to the technology itself but its international governance.

To prevent AI from entering the track of disparity, the international community must work together with some sense of urgency. Capacity building is the key. Only by helping those lagging behind practically can the whole world benefit from AI technology fairly. The unanimous passing of the China-led UN resolution is a timely response and reflected such a need in the international community.

The China-led UN resolution is specific on what “capacities” must be included in the capacity building initiative and how exactly the international community should act. It recognizes that the lack of digital infrastructure connectivity and skills, including education, expertise and human capacity, remains a fundamental challenge in many developing countries, especially the least developed countries. To address the problem, it stresses the importance of enhancing coordination and cooperation among and within countries and increasing investment in artificial intelligence capacity-building, as well as international organizations and all relevant stakeholders, to take active measures.

To ensure such capacity building is a reality, the world needs dialogue not confrontation on AI. In its Global AI Governance Initiative published in October 2023, the Chinese government called for consensus through dialogue and cooperation and promoting AI technology to benefit mankind. At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference held in Shanghai, China continued to advocate the concepts and principles of "people-oriented", "respect for national sovereignty", "intelligent for good", "equality and mutual benefit", "fairness and non-discrimination", and took practical actions to "enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in the global governance of AI".

In sharp contrast, the United States is keen to evoke confrontation. On May 23, the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee passed a proposal to impose export controls on AI models, interfering with the industry's open-source tradition of popularizing technology and expanding the scale of research and development, with the intention of "protecting American AI and other supporting technologies from being exploited by foreign adversaries". The fundamental reason the United States chose to invest in such a gambling and "Cold War" style is that it hopes AI will become a magic weapon to continue its technological hegemony. Facts have proved that the US government's sabotage will only undermine international cooperation in AI, causing it to move from close cooperation to "decoupling" in the fields of academia, open-source, and community.

It is reassuring though the US stance on AI is not what the world wants. The China-led UN resolution on capacity building was supported by more than 140 countries, sending a strong message to the international community that: bridging the gap ought to be our priority, not fighting for hegemony.

In Africa, AI has already found it making the difference in various sectors. Nigeria has promoted an increase in agricultural output and ensured food security through AI-driven smart irrigation, as well as determining fertiliser needs and crop health monitoring systems. Kenya has developed agricultural AI tools, using data analysis capabilities to empower agricultural production, and analysing satellite images to predict natural disasters and rainfall to optimise crop planting times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine developed rapidly in Africa, especially in Ghana, where doctors have accumulated rich experience in using AI technology for telemedicine and initial disease screening.

With such wide application, the proposed capacity building is only going to turbocharge the momentum of AI development in Africa. The continent itself has also noticed its significance. The African Consensus of Rabat, which was adopted at the Inaugural High-Level Forum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) held from June 3-5, 2024 in Morocco, recognised African capacities of AI have remained underdeveloped and/or undeveloped. Similarly, in a virtual meeting attended by 130 African ministers, the African Digital Compact was passed. This strategy called for Africa-owned, people-centred, development-oriented, and an all-inclusive approach to accelerate African countries' AI capabilities in infrastructure, talent, datasets, innovation, and partnerships.

The call for capacity building on AI provides yet another opportunity for China and Africa to work together. China and Africa are no strangers to such kind of cooperation. Across the continent, China has invested in building roads, bridges, airports, government offices, etc., which are a living proof of not only what the pair have achieved, but how sophisticated this partnership can be in a win-win for both parties. It is thus exciting to look forward to a flourishing AI capacity building initiative.

After all, Africa has the youngest population in the world, in addition to its vast agricultural land and abundant mineral resources, all ready to be powered by the AI technology.

* Professor Felix Dakora is the former President of African Academy of Sciences.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of IOL or Independent Media.