African governments are being urged to prioritize investments in digital infrastructure, research, and skills development to harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) while ensuring ethical and inclusive use.

At the Second Advancing Artificial Intelligence in Africa Conference, Education, Science, and Technology Minister Prof Adolf Mkenda emphasized that AI is reshaping economies and public services globally, offering Africa a chance to accelerate sustainable development.

The conference saw over 100 research papers from 34 countries, with 46 selected for presentation, highlighting growing AI research interest across the continent.

Mkenda stressed the need for African nations to develop AI systems based on local data, languages, and values rather than relying on foreign technologies.

He warned that inadequate infrastructure, limited research capacity, and weak regulations could hinder Africa's AI progress, potentially increasing inequality and exposing citizens to privacy risks.The minister called for robust regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible data use and transparency in AI development.

Nelson Mandela African Institution of Science and Technology Vice Chancellor Prof Anthony Mshandete added that Africa should focus on becoming a producer of AI technologies rather than a consumer, encouraging collaboration between universities, governments, and the private sector to address local challenges through innovation.