Experts warn: Artificial intelligence could make Africa "invisible"
Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming increasingly important for how we retrieve information and understand the world around us. Now, experts are issuing a warning that the technology may have major shortcomings when it comes to knowledge about the African continent.
The problem is that AI models are often trained on data that mainly comes from Western sources. Because the technology knows little about Africa, there is a risk that the continent will be underrepresented or inaccurately portrayed in digital responses. This could lead to important perspectives and stories from Africa disappearing from the public conversation.
For users in Norway, this means that the information we receive from AI tools does not always provide a complete picture of the world. When the technology lacks data from large parts of the world, the answers we get become one-sided. This can affect how we understand global challenges and international relations.
Experts point out that there is a need for more diversity in the data used to develop artificial intelligence. Without action, the technology could contribute to making an entire continent "invisible" in the digital information flow of the future. The development of AI is therefore not just a technical issue, but also a question of justice and representation.