Why Africa Needs Its Own AI, Particularly in Healthcare

Healthcare systems worldwide are being transformed by artificial intelligence (AI) in areas ranging from quicker diagnostics to better record-keeping and more intelligent hospital management. The truth is, the majority of this technology was not designed with African realities in mind.

Healthcare professionals still struggle with lengthy patient queues, medicine shortages, inadequate data systems, and language barriers in many regions of the continent. All this brings one question to mind: How can we anticipate imported AI tools trained on Western data, languages, and infrastructure to address issues in Africa?

But we at Eden AI have a different question: What would AI be like if it were created for Africa by Africa?

Not every imported AI is a good fit.

Language serves as a good example. The majority of worldwide AI health technologies are trained in English or other major Western languages. However, millions of patients in Africa speak a diverse number of local languages that AItechnologies are unable to comprehend, resulting in hazardous communication barriers in diagnosis, treatment, and consent.

One issue is infrastructure. Many of the imported tools need stable electricity supply, a high-speed Wi-Fi network, and extensive hospital infrastructure, all of which are not always available in rural or underserved African clinics.

With African data as well as local healthcare professionals, and patients in mind a more intentional, inclusive, and realistic AI that is built from the ground up. One that removes the disparity that currently exists in today’s models.

What Local AI May Improve

Solving problems specific to Africa is the focus of African-led AI, not replicating the West. What if:

• The digitalization of untidy paper files may be aided by AI in hospitals.
• • Intelligent triage methods helped to shorten patient queues.
• • To prevent shortages, pharmacy inventory levels were tracked in real-time.
• • Health professionals and patients could communicate in Zulu, Swahili, Yoruba, or Amharic thanks to language translation.

We may come up with new concepts that will benefit everyone if we include local voices from the start.

The Front Lines Are Being Heard

This had caused Eden AI to roll out a community-informed program, beginning with the individuals who are most familiar with the system: African healthcare professionals.

The most important thing that physicians, nurses, students, pharmacists, and healthcare workers are being invited to share is:

• • Which issues need to be addressed first?
• What are the greatest impediments to the widespread use of AI?
• What characteristics would make an AI tool trustworthy, useful, and practical?

The responses are influencing the discussion as well as the underlying regulations, platforms, and goods.

The Future of Health Must Be Co Created

It is impossible to outsource the future of healthcare in Africa.

We believe that the greatest answers come from within from individuals who are knowledgeable about the languages, systems, deficiencies, and potential.

Eden AI is dedicated to creating solutions that are successful in African hospitals, clinics, and communities, not just because it is morally right.

So, your perspective counts regardless of where you are. Whether you are a hospital in Nairobi, a clinic in Accra, or a college in Cape Town. You are essential to the future of AI in Africa.

Africa’s own artificial intelligence. Is the future.