AI in the African Context

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https://africarxiv.ubuntunet.net/handle/1/1627

Unique challenges and opportunities for AI development and application in Africa, including issues of data availability, local innovation, and addressing continent-specific needs.

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Question Banks: A Tool for Improving Higher Education Assessment Across National Resource Networks: The Polytechnic of Malawi Case Study
(2015-11) Chilivumbo, Chifundo
Question Banks are used to increase the access to quality material for assessing the students in institutions of higher learning. A good question bank which is in line with the learning orientated assessment framework, should facilitate the, learning orientated assessment tasks, developing evaluate expertise and aid in student engagement with some feedback. This paper seeks to create a solution that will allow for these properties to be streamlined by an information solution for higher institutions to be delivered over National resource networks, with one of the University of Malawi’s constituent colleges, the Polytechnic as a case study. This paper documents the work done with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics and Language and Communication in the Faculties of Applied Sciences and Education and Media Studies respectively. Information about the assessment creation and assessment artifact storage was gathered from these two departments through the study of existent literature, observation of processes and a self-administered questionnaire given to participants from the two departments. The first version of the software was created with work being done to improve the system to ensure it’s efficiently aids the assessment process. Although the current process is paper based the system tracks the process using an electronic solution with the aim to allow for an aid to creation and research of questions and possibly in the future for electronic delivery of assessments. The system also takes into account the issue of interoperability of the new system with the Universities existing systems that support Virtual Leaning and Student Information Management.
Achieving Smart Resource Management for Better Disaster Management using Space-based Technology in Lowershire Basin, Malawi
(2015-11) Chilonga, Donnex
Advancements in new geo-spatial technologies across the globe are seen as a way to advance the decision-making process of first responders before and after a disaster. Unstructured disaster information and an infrastructure for accurate disaster information may be accessed and retrieved successfully through present new and important tools. Such tools could help improve the performance of disaster prediction in any country across the world. This paper illustrates a method based on incorporation of space and terrestrial technologies that aims at providing vital information to first responders for smart management of floods in Loweshire Basin, Malawi.
Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence for Supporting Indigenous Language Journalism Pedagogy in Nigeria
(2023-06-14) Iyinolakan, Olayinka
The African continent has more than 2100 indigenous languages, but many of them are not well- represented in the media. Artificial intelligence (AI) technology offers an opportunity to digitally incorporate these languages into news media and enable journalism pedagogy that emphasizes their use. However, there is limited research on how to integrate AI into journalism training in Africa, especially for indigenous languages. This study evaluates the benefits and challenges of integrating AI tools into journalism training in Nigeria to promote productivity and inclusion of indigenous communities in media content. Mixed research design via in-depth interviews was used to collect data from journalism schools in Nigeria, semi-structured survey with current journalist and secondary data available via AI tools. The findings suggest that using AI tools in journalism education can improve the quality of journalism and equip journalists with skills needed to succeed in the digital age. However, there is no immediate urgency to integrate native language journalism beyond entry level. A bureaucracy-free dynamic curriculum is needed to train budding journalists and retrain veteran practitioners, with funding for recent tools. Future research should broaden the scope and sample size to produce comprehensive and generalizable results for other AI contexts within and beyond Nigeria.
Strengthening the Emerging Digital Technologies Ecosystem in Kenya
(2023-09) Ogot, Madara; Muthee, Margaret; Muriuki, Rita; Njunguna, Samuel
The rapid increase in devices (mobile phones, computers, sensors, etc.) connected to the Internet (and thus to databases) has resulted in exponential growth in data generation and associated EDTs that can “identify patterns in observed data, build explanatory models, and make predictions quicker and with more accuracy than humans” (Pawelke et al., 2017) EDT/x-data-based applications and algorithms are mainly created in the developed countries and often lack transparency arising from intellectual property rights, thus hindering realization of the enormous potential EDT/x-data- based applications have in addressing socio-economic challenges faced by developing countries, including Kenya. Where applications exist, they are often not broadly accessible, especially for persons with disabilities, areas with slow internet connections or members of underrepresented groups. In this policy brief, the generic term “big data” is unpacked into four overlapping categories of data: big data, open data, user-generated data and real-time data, and are collectively referred to as “x-data”. EDTs are taken to include artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, geographic information systems (GIS), the Internet of Things (IoT), and big data analytics. These methodologies are often used collectively. Gaps in support systems to develop EDT/x-data-based applications have created new digital divides between developing and developed countries. Further, barriers persist in the use and take-up of x-data by decision-makers, competing data sources, quality of data, limited aware- ness of data existence, and inadequate transformation of data into useful information or tailoring to match the decision-makers needs
On the Preservation of Africa's Cultural Heritage in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
(2024-03-08) Mohamed Louadi
In this paper we delve into the historical evolution of data as a fundamental element in communication and knowledge transmission. The paper traces the stages of knowledge dissemination from oral traditions to the digital era, highlighting the significance of languages and cultural diversity in this progression. It also explores the impact of digital technologies on memory, communication, and cultural preservation, emphasizing the need for promoting a culture of the digital (rather than a digital culture) in Africa and beyond. Additionally, it discusses the challenges and opportunities presented by data biases in AI development, underscoring the importance of creating diverse datasets for equitable representation. We advocate for investing in data as a crucial raw material for fostering digital literacy, economic development, and, above all, cultural preservation in the digital age.

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