The term “snake oil” originated in the 19th century United States when Chinese immigrants working on the railroads introduced American workers to a traditional treatment for arthritis and bursitis made from oil derived from Chinese water snakes. The efficacy of this oil, which is high in omega-3 acids, led to its popularity and prompted some opportunistic individuals to sell inferior or entirely fake remedies to the public. By the early 20th century, “snake oil” had evolved into a pejorative term for fake miracle cures and groundless claims.
I draw a parallel between AI and snake oil. As Arvind Narayan, an associate professor of computer science at Princeton University, aptly stated, much of what is commercially sold as AI is akin to snake oil. Academic papers and product releases often exaggerate the capabilities of AI tools, claiming they can predict criminality, convert text to video, and perform other feats. While the progress in AI over the past decade has been remarkable, the current trajectory of AI development is rife with exaggerated claims.
AI has been touted as the next big thing in Africa, with projections suggesting significant economic benefits for several African countries by 2030. Already, AI is being used to address various humanitarian challenges, such as predicting natural disasters and improving healthcare outcomes. Farmers in Ghana’s arid regions use AI to access local weather data, while Tanzanian farmers utilise an AI-assisted app in Swahili. In Nairobi, Kenya, AI helps classify images from surveillance cameras. Despite its promise, AI is not a cure-all. The notion that AI can solve complex societal issues is dangerous. Its foundation lies in corporate profit maximization and power centralization, making it unsuitable for addressing human rights, war, and hunger issues.
AI regulation on the continent
The discourse on AI regulation, policy, and strategy in Africa seems to be lagging. While many countries worldwide have made significant progress in regulating AI, African nations have been notably absent from this effort. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) reports that since 2017, over 700 AI policy initiatives have been introduced by 60 countries. In addition, in 2019, forty-two nations endorsed the OECD’s initial guidelines on AI. Surprisingly, none of the five African countries in the OECD have signed on to these guidelines. Few countries on the continent have already implemented policies and regulations for AI. In 2022, it was reported that Africa was home to approximately 2400 AI firms and hubs, with the majority clustered around South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya. However, considering the continent’s size and population, this number and distribution are woefully inadequate.
In January 2024, during the annual New Year School and Conference in Accra, Ghana, the Minister for Communications and Digitalization revealed that her ministry is actively developing a comprehensive policy document to regulate the application of AI within the country.
The African Union published a policy draft in February 2024 outlining AI regulations for African nations, including industry-specific codes, standards, and regulatory sandboxes. The draft is expected to be endorsed by African heads of state in February 2025, with countries using it to develop their strategies or align existing ones.
Arguments against AI regulation cite its early stage of development in Africa, with limited internet access, digital infrastructure gaps, and data ownership challenges. They argue that regulation could stifle innovation. Many experts have also argued how as a continent we have not fully grasped the entire spectrum of this technology and any regulation, or guardrails may be a cart before the horse situation. Conversely, proponents argue that AI regulation is necessary to prevent social harm. Instances of AI misuse in Libya and Zimbabwe highlight the need for safeguards against bias and inequality.
In conclusion, the AU’s policy draft recommends investing in digital infrastructure and collaborating to support AI startups and innovation hubs. The AU lacks the power to enforce sweeping policies and laws across its member states. Even if the draft AI strategy wins the endorsement of parliamentarians at the AU’s assembly next February, African nations must then implement the continental strategy through national AI policies and laws. We cannot lag while content with being at the receiving end when it comes to technology. The AI genie is already out of the bottle; hence Africa should approach AI strategically, focusing on its unique challenges and solutions rather than simply replicating techniques from the Global North. It is crucial to approach AI with caution by ensuring that its development is ethical and inclusive. There must be a contextual push for AI to accommodate African diversity, uniqueness, culture, ethics, interests, visions, wishes, exigencies, and demands. Africa is a continent characterized by its rich heterogeneity, remarkable diversity, and multifaceted cultural heritage. It is necessary that we consistently emphasize this point in all our analyses and discussions in policy formulations, as it forms the very foundation upon which the discourse must start.
AGENDA 2063 serves as Africa’s blueprint and master plan for transforming the continent into a global powerhouse of the future, guided by the tagline, “The Africa We Want.” However, it must transcend mere rhetoric and actively engage in a multi-stakeholder approach. This approach should include the active involvement of diverse stakeholders, encompassing marginalized communities and addressing social and political barriers. In addition, regular audits for bias and discrimination in AI systems, along with the establishment of regulatory frameworks and oversight mechanisms, are essential for holding AI developers and users accountable for their actions.
Author: Osei Manu Kagyah
The writer works at the intersection of Technology and human society as a Public Interest Technologist and the Head of Corporate Communications at the Institute of ICT Professionals Ghana.
For comments, please contact the author via Kagyhosei@gmail.com / 0247103939
