Capacity building key to bridging AI gap

The 78th UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution "Enhancing international cooperation on capacity-building of artificial intelligence" on July 1. This China-led proposal was co-sponsored by more than 140 UN member states, and highlighted "capacity building" as key to addressing the many issues surrounding artificial intelligence in a tumultuous world.

AI technology is advancing at a dazzling speed. Yet another noticeable trend is the ever-widening gap among countries in terms of stages or sophistication of applying AI to different fields. While some countries are already making great leaps in exploiting various "large language models" and "generative AI", there are still those which are yet to work on their readiness. Such is the seriousness of the "digital divide" that has been pinpointed by the China-led UN resolution. Ignorance of it will not only create huge challenges to the technology itself but its international governance as well.

To prevent AI from entering the track of disparity, the international community must work together with some sense of urgency. Capacity building is the key. Only by helping those lagging behind practically can the whole world benefit from AI technology fairly. The unanimous passing of the China-led UN resolution is a timely response and reflects such a need in the international community.

The China-led UN resolution is specific on what "capacities" must be included in the capacity building initiative and how exactly the international community should act. It recognizes that the lack of digital infrastructure connectivity and skills, including education, expertise and human capacity, remains a fundamental challenge in many developing countries, especially the least-developed countries. To address the problem, it stresses the importance of enhancing coordination and cooperation among and within countries and increasing investment in AI capacity-building, as well as international organizations and all relevant stakeholders, to take active measures.

To ensure such capacity building is necessary, for the world needs dialogue, not confrontation on AI. In its "Global AI Governance Initiative" published in October 2023, the Chinese government called for a consensus through dialogue and cooperation, and by promoting AI technology to the benefit of humankind. At the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, China reiterated its call for upholding the "people-oriented" principle, respecting countries' sovereignty, promoting "equality and mutual benefit", "fairness and non-discrimination", and taking measures to "enhance the representation and voice of developing countries in the global governance of AI".

In sharp contrast, the United States is keen to evoke confrontation. On May 22, the US House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee passed a proposal to impose export controls on AI models, interfering with the industry's open-source tradition of popularizing technology and expanding the scale of research and development, with the intention of "protecting American AI and other supporting technologies from being exploited by foreign adversaries".

The fundamental reason the US chose to invest in such a Cold War-style game is that it hopes to use AI as a magic weapon to continue its technological hegemony. Facts have proved that the US government's sabotage will only undermine international cooperation in AI, causing it to move from close cooperation to "decoupling" in the fields of academia, open-source technologies and community.

But the US stance on AI is not what the world wants. The China-led UN resolution on capacity building was supported by more than 140 countries, sending a strong message to the international community that bridging the gap, not fighting for hegemony, ought to be our priority.

In Africa, AI has already started making a difference in various sectors. Nigeria has increased its agricultural output and ensured food security through AI-driven smart irrigation, as well as by determining its fertilizer needs, as well as crop health monitoring systems. Kenya has developed agricultural AI tools, using data analysis capabilities to empower agricultural production, and analyzing satellite images to predict natural disasters and rainfall to optimize crop planting times. During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine developed rapidly in Africa, especially in Ghana, where doctors have accumulated rich experience in using AI technology for telemedicine and initial disease screening.

With such wide application, the proposed capacity building is only going to turbo-charge the momentum of AI development in Africa. The continent itself has also realized its significance. The African Consensus of Rabat, which was adopted at the inaugural High-Level Forum on Artificial Intelligence held from June 3 to 5 in Morocco, recognized Africa's capacity of AI have remained underdeveloped and/or undeveloped.

Similarly, at a virtual meeting attended by 130 African ministers, the African Digital Compact was passed. This strategy called for Africa-owned, people-centered, development-oriented and an all-inclusive approach to accelerate African countries' AI capabilities in infrastructure, talents, datasets innovation and partnerships.

The call for capacity building on AI provides yet another opportunity for China and Africa to work together. China and Africa are no strangers to such kind of cooperation. Across the continent, China has invested in such infrastructure facilities as roads, bridges, airports and government offices, which are a living proof of not only what the two sides have achieved, but how sophisticated this partnership can be in a win-win partnership for both parties. It is thus exciting to look forward to a flourishing AI capacity building initiative. After all, Africa has the youngest population in the world, in addition to its vast agricultural land and abundant mineral resources, all ready to be powered by AI technology.

The author is former president of the African Academy of Sciences. The views don't necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

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