Speakers at the 38th African Union Summit called for increased global cooperation in Artificial Intelligence to ensure countries in the Global South are not left behind.
According to United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, many nations in this region are still lagging behind in technological advancements.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasised the need for Africa to actively participate in the development of AI, rather than remaining passive consumers of emerging technologies.
He stated, “It’s essential to protect our data sovereignty, prevent digital exploitation, and develop homegrown AI solutions that reflect African values and contexts. As our data sets grow, so must our capacity to harness them for local and global good. When used responsibly, AI can be a powerful tool in conflict prevention, transparent governance, and inclusive development.”
There was a general consensus that cooperation in cutting-edge technology should not be stifled by isolationist and protectionist policies from a few nations that fear being sidelined in the digital landscape. If harnessed effectively, AI can improve the global economy, and no region should be excluded from technological innovation.
Last week, during the AI Action Summit in Paris, most countries, including China, signed a declaration calling for AI development to be “open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, secure, and trustworthy”, with consideration for international frameworks.
The declaration also stressed making AI sustainable for both people and the planet. However, the United States and the United Kingdom abstained from signing, signalling a shift in the power play from military might to technological dominance.
Vice President J.D. Vance of the United States stated that America must remain the leader in the AI field, warning against partnerships with countries offering “cheap options” and accusing them of potentially compromising security.
Vance argued that such partnerships would lead to nations becoming “chained to an authoritarian master”, seeking to infiltrate and control their information infrastructure. This highlights Washington’s reluctance to cooperate with China and other nations in AI development.
Vance also warned the European Union against imposing excessive regulations on American tech companies. “But to create that kind of trust, we need international regulatory regimes that foster the creation of AI technology rather than strangle it,” he said.
“We need our European friends, in particular, to look at this new frontier with optimism rather than trepidation.”
The risks of AI cannot be addressed through isolationism and protectionism; instead, joint efforts, research, data sharing, and strategic partnerships are essential to effectively managing these risks. Without cooperation, the dangers of AI will remain unaddressed, ultimately harming humanity, especially nations in the Global South.
According to the UN chief, the world has a historic responsibility to ensure AI benefits humanity, not just a privileged few. There is a need for innovative, voluntary financing models. and capacity-building initiatives to help the Global South harness AI for the greater good.
The United States introduced ChatGPT, setting a new benchmark in AI innovation, while China swiftly responded with much cheaper DeepSeek, signalling a high-stakes technological rivalry. To prevent countries from becoming passive recipients of AI advancements, international collaboration is necessary to ensure that all nations contribute to this progress.
Vance’s remarks at the Paris Summit demonstrate Washington’s reluctance to cooperate with other nations in cutting-edge technology, choosing instead to maintain the status quo. The world can no longer rely on a single country for all aspects of life.
In an era of unprecedented global challenges, a multilateral approach is crucial, with no one nation defining the future for others. China has assured the world that it is willing to work with other nations to safeguard security and share achievements in AI development, aiming to build “a community with a shared future for mankind”.
Through collaboration, nations that have made significant progress in AI should help developing countries enhance their capacity, advocating for open-source AI technologies and greater accessibility to AI services. The world must not allow hegemony to remain the primary barrier to the advancement of AI.
The hegemonic mentality of certain countries in the North-North sphere is currently disrupting collaborative efforts. The AI arms race is gaining unprecedented momentum, propelling us into an era where the very foundations of intelligence, humanity, and civilisation are being redefined at an astonishing pace. This shift signals a change in the AI landscape, with China overtaking the US at a significantly lower cost.
However, this should not escalate geopolitical tensions between the world’s largest economies. Instead, it offers an opportunity for collaboration toward a better world. Now that both the US and China are leading the charge in AI, they must work together to address the risks associated with the technology.
AI’s advancement requires global collaboration. Given its multidisciplinary nature, no single nation can achieve all breakthroughs alone.
Cross-border data sharing enriches training datasets and improves model performance. International cooperation enables researchers to leverage diverse strengths in algorithms, computing power, and applications, accelerating innovation.
Writer is a Journalist and communications consultant.
