Microsoft, a multinational technology company, has revealed that artificial intelligence could contribute around $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Microsoft Africa’s commercial lawyer, Theo Watson, said this in his presentation, ‘AI Opportunity in Africa’ at the African AI Journalists Academy via Microsoft Team.

While talking about the opportunities AI could bring to Africa, Watson said that of the $15.7 trillion AI could generate, $1.2 trillion could be generated in Africa.

He noted that the $1.2 trillion represented a 5.6 per cent increase in the continent’s GDP by 2030.

Watson, however, emphasized the need to regulate Artificial Intelligence to speed up its opportunities and reap its benefits.

According to him, as the universe navigates this AI-powered journey, Microsoft’s journey must be underpinned by responsible and sustainable innovation.

He said this would ensure that the progress of  AI in the nation remained aligned with human values and societal norms.

He said: “Responsible and sustainable innovation will ensure that AI progress aligns with the needs that define Africa’s vastly diverse cultures. This involves a deep engagement with the continent’s unique challenges, recognizing their complexity and prioritizing those that AI can help solve.

“Also, collaborating with relevant stakeholders will be key to ensuring that AI solutions are not just technologically advanced but also culturally attuned and genuinely beneficial to African societies.’’

He stressed that building trust and security was important, and the responsible AI journey of Microsoft started in 2016 and that the journey was accompanied by Microsoft’s  AI principles of fairness, rehabilitation and safety, privacy and security, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability.

Akua Gyekye, Microsoft Africa’s Government Affairs Director, said the world was changing, industries were encountering rapid transformation, and drivers of economic growth were evolving.

Gyekye said technology was tackling socioeconomic delivery issues like health, education, and agriculture, and that the impact was real.

She said eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality in South Africa is leveraging AI to minimize water wastage and offer innovative water and sanitation services to its growing population.

She said: “Farmers in Nigeria and Kenya are getting customized advice on farming based on AI, advice on soil and weather data. This helps them to make evidence- driven decisions and increase yields using technology to do the research and help find the right use of AI to boost productivity of their workforce.”