The African software developers using AI to fight inequality

AI used to tackle poverty, translate languages with African data seen vital to fighting racial bias. More funding, wider digital access needed, say developers. — Background vector created by rawpixel.com - www.freepik.com

DURBAN: Determined to use her skills to fight inequality, South African computer scientist Raesetje Sefala set to work to build algorithms flagging poverty hotspots – developing datasets she hopes will help target aid, new housing or clinics.

From crop analysis to medical diagnostics, artificial intelligence (AI) is already used in essential tasks worldwide, but Sefala and a growing number of fellow African developers are pioneering it to tackle their continent’s particular challenges.