Selorm Adadevoh: Africa must leverage on AI to fastrack economic growth

African countries must explore ways of leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to fast-track economic development, the chief commercial manager of the MTN Group, Selorm Adadevoh, has said.

Adadevoh’s comment comes after the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation announced it was developing a comprehensive policy document to regulate the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.

According to the ministry, a draft is currently ready and waiting to be tabled before the cabinet for consideration and suggestions.

When completed, the policy is expected to ensure better conditions for the development and use of this innovative technology for the benefit of the citizens.

AI technology could help create many benefits such as improved healthcare, safe and clean transport, efficient manufacturing, and cheaper and more sustainable energy when properly used.

Speaking to Asaase News on the sidelines of the 2024 Edition of Africa Prosperity Dialogues at the Peduase Presidential Lodge on Thursday (25 January), Adadevoh said African countries must not only focus on the negative aspect of AI.

“For me, the perspective from the regulation is really what is the benefit of Artificial Intelligence, fundamentally to economic growth that allows us to propel the continent forward and how do we create the regulatory framework to support that type of investment.

“There are a lot of costs that we can take out of our delivery of manufacturing. There is a lot of research burden or disadvantage that Africa has today that AI can resolve. All of these can propel us forward, so from a regulatory standpoint, I think sometimes we look at it from a very narrow perspective element for AI or the potential for abuse,” he said.

Adadevoh added, “But we also need to consider what is the potential to enhance our economies and capabilities as a continent or as a nation and what policies do we put in place to get the best benefit from some of these technological innovations.”

Listen to Selorm Adadevoh in the attached audio clip below: 

Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra

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