Vukosi Marivate encouraged African researchers to think bigger and shape their own AI path while cautioning against becoming mere recipients of foreign aid or testing grounds for global technology.
The Southern African Conference for Artificial Intelligence Research at the University of Johannesburg focused on human-centered AI, highlighting the need for responsible AI for all living things. The city’s urban landscape and the nearby Cradle of Humankind emphasized the importance of this approach. South African research engineer Avishkar Bhoopchand of Google DeepMind highlighted Africa’s unique AI advancements, contrasting Europe’s government-dominated regulations and North America’s big tech-driven AI boom with a boom in “grassroots AI.”
This term refers to a self-organized continental network comprising AI students, professors, researchers, industry practitioners, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts collaborating to accelerate AI development in Africa.
Vukosi Marivate, Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Pretoria, emphasized the necessity of a grassroots approach due to geopolitical challenges, insufficient universities, historical racial inequities, and a rapidly evolving global AI landscape. Despite South African universities holding top positions in African rankings, they can only accommodate a limited number of students, contributing to a lottery-like competition for admission.
The racial disparities persist, with only 16 percent of Black South Africans entering higher education compared to 55 percent of whites, reflecting the lingering effects of apartheid. Educational inequities start early, as many schools, especially in majority-Black areas, lack resources and subjects necessary for university preparation.
A 2022 Brookings Institution report highlighted limited educational opportunities and infrastructure challenges in sub-Saharan African universities. Despite these obstacles, a vibrant grassroots AI movement has emerged, bridging gaps and garnering attention from global tech giants like Google, Apple, and OpenAI.
The government’s effort to provide free university tuition and stipends for low-income students has unintended consequences, making students reluctant to pursue advanced degrees due to financial pressures. Grassroots AI steps in to support students by creating connections, sharing resources, and fostering mentorship beyond institutional limitations.
To address the growing demand for AI expertise, the Deep Learning Indaba conference was established in 2017, bringing together African AI researchers for knowledge exchange, mentorship, and community building. The grassroots AI movement has gained traction, with support from international organizations like Google and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
However, challenges persist. Funding opportunities are expanding, with the UK pledging £80 million to support AI expertise in Africa, and the Gates Foundation investing $30 million in an AI platform. Vukosi Marivate encouraged African researchers to think bigger and shape their own AI path while cautioning against becoming mere recipients of foreign aid or testing grounds for global technology.
The collaborative spirit of the grassroots AI movement reflects the symbiotic relationships observed in nature, where different species support each other to thrive. Marivate concluded that the goal is not for Africans to “win the AI race” but to be counted and actively shape the future of AI on the continent.