The U.S. Embassy Ghana and the American Chamber of
Commerce, Ghana jointly held a roundtable discussion on the theme “Leveraging
Artificial Intelligence for Innovation” at the Google AI Research Center in
Accra.
The
event which focused on developments in industry, research, and policy related
to AI was attended by more than 40 local and international ICT companies,
startups, incubator, academic experts, industry representatives from the
agriculture, food processing, and manufacturing, as well as graduate students
in computer science, NGOs, and civil society representatives attended the
event.
In
attendance also were officials from the Office of the President of Ghana and
the National Data Commission were also in attendance.
In her address, the U.S.
Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer disclosed that “U.S. companies and organizations, like those represented here today, are
at the forefront of this technology. The responsible use of these
technologies has the potential to transform our economy and drive Ghana’s
digital transformation.”
The Ambassador highlighted AI tools
being deployed around the world to enhance capacities and improve efficiencies
in nearly all industry and social sectors, from health to transportation to agriculture
and food security, adding that the United States Government is working to build
partnerships connected by shared values and a shared commitment to the
responsible use of AI.
Dr. Jason Hickey, Head of Google’s AI Research Center,
highlighted Google’s research activities, many of which involve local researchers
who are developing AI solutions for use within Ghana and the wider African
continent. Ludwika Alvarez, Digital Team Leader for AI at the U.S.
Department of Commerce, provided an overview of fast-moving investment and
expansion efforts in the AI industry in the United States.
Fatima Tajambang of the U.S. company
Nvidia explained how the company is providing Ghanaian ICT communities with
mentoring and computing resources so that aspiring local developers can build
and scale their AI expertise, nurture emerging technologies and drive
innovation.
Dr. Daphne Stavroula Zois from the
University of Albany (New York) detailed her research on AI applications for
use in Ghana’s agricultural sector. Mr. Darlington Akogo from KaroAgroAI,
which is partially funded by several American foundations, spoke about his
active work using AI to diagnose plant diseases and provide solutions for
Ghana’s farmers.
Dr. Peter Maher from Webster
University in St. Louis, Missouri, highlighted how U.S. education is responding
to the AI’s sector’s fast growth, including developing specialized curriculum
to train the researchers and workers who will work with the technology in a
wide range of disciplines.
