THE IMPORTANCE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN DIPLOMACY IN AFRICA

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is important not only for developed countries but also for developing countries, including Africa. While the African continent has seen several innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence, more can be done to ensure access to information and knowledge via AI. While AI development has a long history of excitement followed by long disappointment, we are currently in the midst of an unprecedented period of technological innovation across multiple sectors, which is driving the growth of AI. The increase in digitised data in the global economy is one of the two critical factors driving this growth. Africa is already playing a key role in developing AI systems, which necessitate the use and availability of natural resources, labour, and skills across the continent.

Artificial Intelligence advancements in technology in Africa’s Digital diplomacy era

African countries have spent the last decade negotiating better export trading conditions using traditional diplomatic tools. However, the new global trading system is changing the very nature of diplomacy. Traditional approaches based on the concept of sovereign equity are giving way to more sophisticated approaches influenced by countries’ scientific and technological competence levels. This manifests itself in two ways. First, African countries’ ability to wield greater influence in the global arena will be determined by their economic strength, which is linked to their ability to use technological innovation for global competitiveness effectively. South Africa is the continent’s leader in AI adoption, thanks to a robust ecosystem that includes numerous technology hubs, research groups, and forums such as the AI Summit, which is sponsored by multinational corporations such as Intel, Salesforce, Amazon, and IBM, and Singularity University’s South Africa Summit. South Africa has over a hundred companies integrating AI solutions into their operations or developing new solutions using AI.

At least three major areas of technological innovation are reshaping international relations. First, greater international technical cooperation will be required to meet Africa’s human needs, such as adequate nutrition and health care. Similarly, Africa will need to strengthen its capacity for innovation to participate more effectively in the global economy. Although better raw material trading arrangements can help in the short term, long-term strategic technology alliances will offer the continent a viable way out of the raw materials commodity trap. Finally, addressing ecological challenges, such as the projected effects of climate change, will necessitate long-term technological collaboration with other countries. The recent agreement between the United States and Brazil to share ethanol technology to reduce reliance on oil demonstrates how urgent global challenges are redefining diplomatic relations.

AI in Security and Defence

Throughout history, warfare has changed due to the introduction and innovative use of new military technology. In the military and defence realms, AI is frequently discussed regarding lethal autonomous weapons, or “killer robots.” However, AI can enable and support a wide range of military functions, from logistics to autonomous weapons, cyber warfare, and disinformation. It consists of offensive and defensive systems and frontline and support systems. If we are interested in using AI as a tool for diplomacy, we must first define what diplomats do. One method is to examine the functions of diplomacy. The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations defines diplomacy as gathering information, communication, representation, negotiation, and promotion of friendly relations. Artificial intelligence in diplomacy will play several roles in state recognition, making it a powerful tool for promoting relations between newly formed and established states. Within the African continent, Eritrea and South Sudan are examples of once-aspiring states that have achieved international recognition and recognition after successfully seceding from their host states. The two countries are opposed: the former gained statehood and recognition when digital diplomacy was non-existent, while the latter did so when it was well-established. Leading officials in South Sudan are known to have widely mobilised diplomatic support from regional states and the international community through digital technologies to gain statehood and recognition. As a result of digital technologies, social media has earned a central role in the projection, dissemination, and replication of information in the diplomatic arena. Diplomats worldwide used social media following South Sudan’s referendum to spread their speeches, announce public appearances, and share messages of congratulations for South Sudan’s referendum and independence.

The impact of AI in diplomacy, particularly in Africa, will result in a new or newly confirmed status in the relations between the states involved, joint or unilateral concerted action, the failure of negotiations, or their transfer to another temporal, geographical, or institutional framework. Failure may result in the use of military or non-military means of coercion. As defined in Chapter VI of the UN Charter, diplomatic negotiations aim to resolve conflicts without resorting to coercive measures. African governments should prioritise adopting AI solutions that help achieve national development goals and contribute to prosperous and inclusive societies. Policy responses to AI are emerging across the African continent, with Egypt, Mauritius, and Rwanda being the first to publish national AI strategies.

Conclusion

Local African actors are becoming more active in AI innovation, capacity building, and knowledge creation. This is brought on by increased computational power and an increase in funding for AI as part of a more significant increase in funding for start-ups. Despite this growth, African businesses are finding it difficult to develop suitable and alluring use cases that investors will fund with a reasonable degree of certainty that they will make a profit. However, foreign technology and AI companies continue to dominate the African market, which may not always support the achievement of national development priorities (such as those outlined in the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals). Worse, they amplify exclusion and oppression of specific groups, particularly women. African policymakers must prioritise the development of local AI capabilities and capacities that can be used to propel inclusive economic growth and social transformation. This prioritisation necessitates AI policies that build on national digital agendas and emphasise equitable access to digital, data, and computing infrastructure.

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