Strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy to promote gender equity and inclusivity: Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy status in Africa

Abstract

The emerging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have caught the attention of Africa's economic, environmental, social, and health sectors. The AI Innovation technology is critical for realising societal benefits, particularly with the involvement of women and marginalised groups, such as the youth, who constitute more than 60% of the continent's population. Africa must be adequately prepared regarding gender-mainstreamed policy, skill sets, and diverse access to technology to match AI technology advancement, so that the existing gender inequalities, technology access, and use gaps will not be exacerbated. We recommend the following policy shifts to reduce gender inequalities, and improve the access and use of AI in Africa: Promote multilateral science-policy dialogues and collaborative community of practice with women and youth quota targets across Africa. Develop catalytic approaches to building capacity regarding women and youths' skill sets and technological access to leverage AI. These include promoting initiatives, such as ICT and AI technologies teaching in the school curricula. Providing marginalised groups access to computers, software, and internet broadband is a priority for Africa. Establish a community of practice across Southern Africa, West Africa, East Africa, and North Africa underpinned by pooling of resources and expertise prioritising women and youths through regional economic platforms, such as SADC, ECOWAS, and COMESA, culminating in coordinated and integrated policy-driven interventions Develop public-private partnership (PPP) models involving public entities, such as the Department of Information, Communication and Digital Technologies and the Department of Science and Innovation. The private sector must include communications and mobile technology service providers and lending institutions, such as banks, to encourage investment in AI initiatives prioritising women and youth. This is a win-win scenario regarding profiteering for private institutions and ensuring affordable service delivery to the community by the public sector will be achieved.