Microsoft recommends strategies for accelerating AI opportunities in Africa

Microsoft has recommended Governance strategies for the acceleration of Artificial Intelligence opportunities in Africa.

The Government Affairs Director, Microsoft Africa, Akua Gyekye made this known to newsmen via Zoom yesterday.

Akua advised Implementation and building upon new government-led AI safety frameworks.

She explained that when it comes to using AI safely, one of the most effective ways to accelerate progress is to build on existing governmental frameworks.

According to her, Several African countries have already begun to formulate their own legal and policy frameworks and are helping to lead discussions around AI policy and strategy development on a regional, continental, and global scale, offering valuable insights for other countries looking to do the same.

Gyekye stated the Requirement of safety brakes for AI systems that control critical infrastructure

The Head noted that while most potential AI scenarios do not pose significant risks, it’s going to be increasingly important to identify those high-risk situations that will require ‘safety brakes’.

She explained that this is particularly relevant when it comes to systems that manage or control critical infrastructure such as electricity grids, water systems, traffic systems or emergency responses.

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The Director suggested the Development of a broader legal and regulatory framework based on the technology architecture for AI, adding that a framework mirroring AI’s technology architecture is needed, focusing on the three layers of the tech stack, with different obligations for the level of applications and the layers beneath, which are the AI foundational models and the infrastructure in order to address AI’s legal and regulatory challenges.

According to her, The law will also need to place various regulatory responsibilities upon different actors based on their role in managing the different aspects of AI technology.

The Microsoft Leader advocated the promotion of transparency and ensuring academic and public access to AI, adding that new public-private partnerships should be pursued to use AI as an effective tool to address the inevitable societal challenges that come with new technology.

“This whitepaper explores the five key focus areas that can contribute positively to the work ahead.

“Implement and build upon new government-led AI safety frameworks
When it comes to using AI safely, one of the most effective ways to accelerate progress is to build on existing governmental frameworks.

“Several African countries have already begun to formulate their own legal and policy frameworks and are helping to lead discussions around AI policy and strategy development on a regional, continental, and global scale, offering valuable insights for other countries looking to do the same.

“Require safety brakes for AI systems that control critical infrastructure
While most potential AI scenarios do not pose significant risks, it’s going to be increasingly important to identify those high-risk situations that will require ‘safety brakes’.

“This is particularly relevant when it comes to systems that manage or control critical infrastructure such as electricity grids, water systems, traffic systems or emergency responses. These brakes ensure systems can be quickly controlled or stopped by humans if necessary.

“Develop a broader legal and regulatory framework based on the technology architecture for AI To address AI’s legal and regulatory challenges, a framework mirroring AI’s technology architecture is needed, focusing on the three layers of the tech stack, with different obligations for the level of applications and the layers beneath, which are the AI foundational models and the infrastructure.

“The law will also need to place various regulatory responsibilities upon different actors based upon their role in managing the different aspects of the AI technology.

“Promote transparency and ensure academic and public access to AI

“Pursue new public-private partnerships to use AI as an effective tool to address the inevitable societal challenges that come with new technology,” she said.