Tech leaders, academics, policymakers, and entrepreneurs from Africa and beyond gathered in Nigeria to discuss the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) at the 2024 Pan-African AI Conference in Lagos, co-hosted by the United States. The event is seen as a significant step in Africa’s technological future.
Nigeria’s Minister for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, emphasized the need for a human-centered approach in the digital transformation journey during his opening remarks.
“For us to truly harness artificial intelligence to our collective benefit, we must be deliberate and collaborative in our approach,” Tijani said. He also announced a $61,000 AI fund aimed at supporting Nigeria’s brightest AI startups.
Lagos, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of Africa, provided a dynamic backdrop for the conference as delegates from more than 30 African countries mingled with their U.S. counterparts to share ideas and explore the future of AI on the continent.
Dr. Seth Center, Acting Special Envoy for Critical and Emerging Technology, highlighted two main challenges for the future of AI: establishing a safe and secure governance framework that fosters innovation and builds public confidence in AI, and creating a business environment that encourages private sector investment and development in Nigeria.
The collaboration between Nigeria and the United States underscored the importance of cross-continental partnerships in driving technological innovation, with both nations recognizing the vast potential of AI for economic and social development.
