Surprising AI innovations out of South Africa have been helping meet the needs of the continent, from bridging language divides in the emergent field to crucial new applications in agriculture.
Arthur Goldstuck, a tech journalist and author from South Africa, stressed that language models like ChatGPT may not meet the needs of Africans who speak less dominant languages, but that problem may be addressed by new African-made models.
"There is a big AI divide in the sense that when you look at the large language models that are driving generative AI, most of those are produced in the global north with the United States and China in the lead. But we also see countries like France, for example, very active in producing large language models. And what this means is that most of this AI is trained on dominant languages, like English or Mandarin, or French. And on a continent like Africa, where there are hundreds of languages, and for many people, their home language is not one of the dominant global languages, AI becomes, to some extent, inaccessible," Goldstuck said, speaking in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN).
He also noted that South Africa's localized AI growth, which focuses on addressing local needs such as agricultural analysis, is bridging practical challenges across the continent.
"We are seeing initiatives, however, tremendous innovation across Africa, especially in the sense of addressing the needs of the continent. I say, in my book about AI that innovation in Silicon Valley is usually based on opportunity. Across the African continent, innovation is based on need. And when you are taking the learnings of 75 years of research into AI and apply them to the specific needs and challenges of the African continent. You see incredible things happen," said the author.
"In South Africa, specifically, there's a company called Aerobotics that uses drones to take video footage of crops and orchards. So the AI analyzes what is happening on the ground, continually, and then allowing the farmer to continually intervene to ensure that they have the best possible crops. And that technology is now being used across Africa," he said.
S Africa bridges global gap in AI development through necessity-driven innovation
Chinese President Xi Jinping held a restrictive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, during which they had in-depth exchanges on strategic issues of common concern.
The world is undergoing changes unseen in a century and entering a new period of turbulence and transformation, Xi noted, adding that in the face of the ever-evolving world landscape with volatility and turmoil, China has maintained its strategic resolve.
He said that under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people have overcome various difficulties and challenges, and are striving to promote high-quality development and Chinese modernization.
China is willing to work with Russia and other countries to enhance solidarity and cooperation, steer global governance in the right direction, jointly safeguard international fairness and justice, and promote world peace and common development, Xi said.
Noting that China's development is unstoppable and that no force can contain China's growth and progress, Putin said that Russia is willing to improve cooperation with China and other Global South countries to promote international fairness and justice, and to work toward a more equal and multipolar world.
The two heads of state had an in-depth exchange of views on the Ukraine crisis.
Xi elaborated on China's consistent position and efforts to promote the political settlement of the Ukraine issue, stressing that to deal with any major issue, it is necessary to address both the symptoms and the root causes, and to plan for the present as well as for the long term.
He said the core of the Global Security Initiative is advocating the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and the fundamental solution to the Ukraine issue is to promote the establishment of a new balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture.
Xi said China supports the convening of an international peace conference recognized by Russia and Ukraine at an appropriate time with equal participation and fair discussion of all options, so as to push for an early political settlement of the Ukraine issue, and China stands ready to continue to play a constructive role in this regard.
Putin introduced the relevant views and positions of Russia, saying that Russia appreciates China's objective, just and balanced position on the Ukraine issue and welcomes China to continue to play an important and constructive role in the political settlement of the issue. Russia is committed to resolving the Ukraine issue through political negotiations and is willing to demonstrate sincerity and maintain close communication with China in this regard, he said.
Xi said that over the years, they have had many meetings and every exchange has been candid, in-depth and fruitful.
Xi said he is ready to stay in close contact with President Putin and work together to steer the development of China-Russia relations in the right direction, guide the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era to achieve steady and lasting progress, bring more benefits to the two peoples, and contribute to world security and stability.
Putin thanked Xi for his warm hospitality, saying that he is willing to maintain close communication with Xi, implement the important consensus reached between them, and ensure the full development of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination for the new era.
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
Xi holds restrictive meeting with Putin at Zhongnanhai
