By Duncan Mboyah
Scientists have called upon African governments to embrace disruptive technologies including Artificial Intelligence (AI), quantum computing and astronomy.
They were speaking during the 5th International Network for Governmental Science Advice (INGSA) conference in Kigali, Rwanda.
The scientists observed that the private sector, with large resources, is developing the next generation of disruptive technologies at an unprecedented rate.
Kevin Govender, Director, International Astronomical Union (IAU) Office of Astronomy for Development in South Africa said that African governments must begin to support experts and research institutions to stay ahead.
‘We need to push the boundary of science and technology to be able to benefit from these new technologies,” Govender told over 100 delegates from 65 countries attending the INGSA conference.
Govender noted that there are huge opportunities for African States to stay ahead in this transition by supporting and promoting its experts and research centers and developing policies adapted to the countries and continent’s realities.
He said that discoveries made by astronomy have disrupted the way people see the atmosphere for their good.
The scientist noted that it is important that the countries embark on expanding human knowledge on disruptive technologies to realize gains since it is also a big economic income.
He told the governments that open science and open access can help make the technology completely available.
Prince Koree Osei, lead scientist and Director of Quantum Leap Africa (QLA) in Ghana said that computer technologies enable new ways of storing and transmitting information.
Osei noted that through computer technology, human beings are today capable of conducting underground surveillance that has led to the discovery of minerals and other resources.
“Disruptive technologies stand to disrupt the whole world just as mobile money transfer did a few years ago, ” Osei added.
He said that policy makers need to know the nature of the new technology for the future by developing blue prints that can support governments, academia and industries to plan.
Osei revealed that USD 40 billion have been invested in Quantum technology globally while in Africa only USD 3 million has been invested.
He observed that with Africa’s population expected to increase in 2030, African governments must take advantage and prepare young people to participate in these technologies.
Chomora Mikeka, Director of Science, Technology and Innovation in Malawi’s Ministry of Education said that once the governments embrace disruptive technologies, operations and services rendered to populations will not remain the same.
Mikeka noted that African countries need to operate in blocs as well as establish departments and appoint experts to lead the disruptive technologies department.
Ronald Munatsi, Executive Director, Zimbabwe Evidence Informed Policy Network (zEIPnet) said that AI technology is coming and is going to have an influence as it will be quicker and better.
Munatsi said that AI is not complicated rocket science and that policy makers in the global south need to start enhancing policy systems, integrating AI tools, allowing updating of data and analysis and infusing AI tools into the national language system.
He said that to avoid what happened to the Kodak Photography Company that collapsed due to the introduction of mobile phones that have cameras; AI should also be adopted as early as possible to avoid a similar state.
“Assumptions that AI is complex are far-fetched since it is being used daily in excavators, cookies, and in chart boxes,” he added.
Munatsi observed that it would be better if experts who develop algorithms were also based in Africa to have Africa-based applications as opposed to what is happening currently where the developers are based in the north.
The experts observed that a new generation of AI-based tools could present an opportunity soon to dramatically improve science advice, making it more agile, rigorous, and targeted.
In the future, they noted, the new AI-based platforms should be able to make evidence syntheses less time-intensive and free subject matter experts to focus on more complex analytical aspects of the process.
However, they said that leveraging such tools for good will require science advisers and policy institutions to create guidelines and carefully consider the design and responsible use of the nascent technology.
They asserted that collaboration with the technical know-how will likely come from academia and technology companies, while demands for robust governance, transparency, and accountability can only be met by governments to build new tools responsibly.
Delegates were informed that states and organizations are still looking into how to approach this technological shift with a local perspective, with limited international inclusion and solidarity.
