ECOWAS Parliamentarians have been urged to take a lead in formulating a legal framework that would enable Africans
to build indigenous Artificial intelligence, AI, to meet up with the demands of different sectors in the region.
This was the position of experts who presented papers on the role of Artificial Intelligence in improving Security, Health Care and Agriculture in West Africa at the on going ECOWAS Parliamentary session in Port Harcourt
For an ICT expert, Dr. Christian Odo while delivering a paper on AI for Parliamentary Efficiency and Oversight, lamented censorship of AI resources from the West.
Dr. Odo said that it was no longer news that Africa has immense potential even for AI-driven growth, however, most AI solutions are developed by foreign entities, often neglecting Africa’s specific challenges and contexts.
He noted that with legal backing for indigenous AI, it could be deployed for effective governance by translating real time parliamentary procedures, tracking government spending and tackling misinformation and disinformation.
In another paper presentation on AI deployment in the health sector, Mr. Ukuyoma Theophilus acknowledged that the brain drain in the African Health Sector and healthcare inequalities could be addressed using Artificial Intelligence.
In her submission, the Member representing Rivers South East Senatorial District, Dr. Ipalibo Banigo emphasized the need for Nigeria to leverage telemedicine platforms to improve coverage of health services in rural areas.
She called for improvement of telecommunication infrastructure which would further enhance access to health care in the country
The Seminar for the Second Extraordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament also featured experts who highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in optimizing productivity in Agriculture, counter terrorism and advancing peace and public safety.
