When I started reading Dr Mark Nasila’s book, African Artificial Intelligence, I was eager to see how he would explain such a complicated subject.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) often seems like a confusing idea meant for tech experts in distant labs. However, Nasila does an excellent job of making the discussion about AI relatable, practical, and, most importantly, relevant to Africa.
From the beginning, Nasila challenges the notion that Africa should just use AI solutions created elsewhere. He makes it clear that to use AI effectively, we need to think locally. He states, “African nations can’t afford simply to import AI solutions. They need to rework, remix, and refine AI so it’s able to meet uniquely African challenges in uniquely African ways.”
The book discusses how AI can change important industries across the continent, and Nasila explains it in ways that feel practical and achievable.
Healthcare: AI could improve access to quality healthcare, especially in rural areas. Imagine systems that can analyse symptoms and provide reliable diagnostic insights, allowing doctors to focus on more complex cases.
Agriculture: Having seen how important farming is to many African communities, I was particularly interested in how AI can enhance crop yields through precision farming. By analysing soil health, predicting weather patterns, and monitoring water usage, farmers could boost productivity while saving resources.
Finance: Many Africans nations still lack access to traditional banking, but AI could change that. AI-powered platforms could create credit profiles for people without formal banking histories, opening up financial opportunities for millions.
Education: The idea of personalised learning through AI excites me. With many children in underfunded schools, a system that adapts to individual learning needs could help close the education gap and prepare young people for a competitive future.
Each of these examples shows how AI, when adapted to our specific challenges, can unlock potential in ways we are just starting to imagine.
One area Nasila explores is how AI can help us address climate change, a pressing issue for Africa. From droughts to flooding, the effects are already being felt. For example, farmers could receive real-time updates on when and where to plant crops based on changing weather conditions.
Nasila also warns about “AI washing”—where companies claim to use AI for innovation but deliver little real impact.
Another important message from the book is about controlling our own data. Nasila explains that data is crucial to AI, and African countries must protect and manage their data responsibly.
I appreciated Nasila’s call for African governments to take action. By creating policies that prioritise data sovereignty, we can ensure that AI systems work for us, not against us.
Nasila also addresses the ethical issues surrounding AI. He stresses the need to ensure that AI does not worsen existing inequalities or marginalise vulnerable communities.
This book isn’t only for tech professionals. It’s for anyone who cares about Africa’s future and wants to understand how AI fits into the picture.
Cape Times
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