By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The GSMA has called for a
stronger focus on digital connectivity and local-language artificial
intelligence as governments and regional organisations across the Global South
accelerate efforts to develop and deploy AI technologies.
Speaking at the AI for
Development Summit in Geneva, GSMA Senior Director Kenechi Okeleke warned that
AI-driven development risks excluding large sections of the population if
existing gaps in internet access are not addressed.
Okeleke noted that more than
one billion adults in low- and middle-income countries remain unconnected to
the internet, arguing that AI cannot be considered inclusive while significant
portions of the population remain outside the digital ecosystem.
He identified the perceived
value and relevance of digital services as one of the barriers to digital
adoption, particularly where online services do not adequately reflect the
languages and needs of local communities.
According to Okeleke, the
development of AI models and digital services in indigenous and local languages
could help make technology more relevant and accessible to underserved
populations, potentially encouraging greater participation in the digital economy.
The issue of language
inclusion formed a central part of his keynote at the summit, where he also
highlighted initiatives aimed at strengthening African AI ecosystems and
developing language technologies.
Among the initiatives
referenced was ATLAS Umoja AI, which seeks to support the development of AI
ecosystems and language models across Africa.
Okeleke said the expansion
of AI should therefore be accompanied by efforts to close the underlying
digital divide, ensuring that connectivity, locally relevant content and
inclusive technologies advance together.
