Rethinking the Implementation of Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Education in Africa: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Recent socio-economic trends have made Artificial intelligence (AI) a vital institutional force driving development among countries with optimal opportunities and costs. Among researchers in this domain, the benefit of AI is highly espoused, having been underexplored in Africa. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to strengthen the education sector, given that many schools have migrated their teaching and learning online. While face-to-face teaching was the norm, the transition to online teaching has brought about the need to rethink the use of Information Technology to strengthen teaching and learning. To proffer solutions for the implementation of AI in Africa, there is the need to understand the challenges. Therefore, in this chapter, we explore the possible challenges that hinder the implementation of AI in Africa. Further, we propose solutions for the implementation of AI in the education sector, especially in this era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The solutions stem from rethinking the role of AI in the education sector. Finally, a conceptual framework that synthesises the problems and the proposed solution is developed. We envision that the proffered solutions can mitigate the deepening misconceptions and challenges bedevilling AI implementation in Africa.

Citation

Kolog, E.A., Odoi Devine, S.N., Egala, S.B., Amponsah, R., Budu, J. and Farinloye, T. (2022), "Rethinking the Implementation of Artificial Intelligence for a Sustainable Education in Africa: Challenges and Solutions", Chemma, N., El Amine Abdelli, M., Awasthi, A. and Mogaji, E. (Ed.) Management and Information Technology in the Digital Era (Advanced Series in Management, Vol. 29), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 27-46. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1877-636120220000029003