LONDON, November 1 (EFE).- The British Government today announced the establishment of a program to promote the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in developing countries, with an initial focus on sub-Saharan Africa.
The UK will contribute £38 million (€43 million/$45.6 million) to the initiative, while other partners such as the governments of Canada and the US and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will also provide funding. For a total of £80 million (€91 million/$96.4 million).
He said in a statement that the program, which will be presented next Wednesday as part of the Artificial Intelligence Summit held in England, aims to “deliver artificial intelligence opportunities to more than 700 million people who speak 46 African languages.” Statement from the British Executive.
Promoters of the initiative aspire to make five or more African countries “globally influential in the conversation about artificial intelligence” and to establish or strengthen at least eight research centers at universities on the continent.
It will also help countries in the region agree to regulatory frameworks to ensure the “responsible, fair and safe” use of new technology.
British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said, “The transformative power of artificial intelligence must bring global benefit. Artificial intelligence can change people’s lives for the better all over the world.”
The African countries Rwanda, Nigeria and Kenya were among 27 countries invited to attend the summit being held this week in the United Kingdom.
“Africa has historically lagged behind in previous technological revolutions due to a lack of local production and value-added capacity,” said Paula Ingabire, Rwanda’s Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation.
“Through this broad coalition of partners, the potential benefits of AI will increase opportunities and expand risk preparedness,” said Eliud Auwalu, Kenya’s Minister of Information, Communications and Digital Economy.
(c) EFE Agency
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