Introduction
If there is one techno-scientific advance that worries as much as it amazes, artificial intelligence (AI). AI is a generic term for a machine or algorithm capable of observing its environment, learning from it and, on the basis of the knowledge and experience it has acquired, taking intelligent action and proposing decisions. It is a technology capable of imitating human intelligence in situational analysis and decision-making. In everyday African life, voice assistance, GPS, route calculation and voice recognition are just a few examples of AI.
When used illicitly and abused by inexperienced hands, ill-intentioned individuals and despotic regimes, AI could be used to manipulate, monitor the masses or disinform. But freed from these shortcomings, AI can significantly improve the promotion, realization and protection of human rights and democracy in Africa.
IA AND THE IMPROVEMENT OF DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS IN AFRICA
There are many ways in which AI can contribute to improving democracy and human rights. AI is first of all a tool at the service of public policy, then at the service of the electoral process and finally at the service of human rights.
- Artificial intelligence at the service of public policy
As a tool for improving the efficiency of public services, AI makes it possible to :
- Map and predict burglaries;
- Model an environment to aid decision-making;
- Automate the collection and analysis of data (from satellites, for example);
- Automate bill checking or water quality monitoring;
- Automate certain public services;
- Improve communication with citizens or users (as in the case of ChatBots); etc.
But AI is also helping to consolidate electoral democracy.
- Artificial intelligence at the service of the electoral process
In the electoral process, AI is a major asset. It facilitates :
- Public consultations through the creation of participative and citizen platforms;
- Identifying major political, economic, social and cultural issues or problems by gathering information on citizens’ electoral profiles;
- Combating electoral fraud by dematerialising voting and vote counting;
- Increasing public confidence in the electoral process by reducing the time it takes for results to become available;
- Targeted voter education through micro-targeting campaigns; etc.
In addition, AI can help to make certain human rights more effective.
- Artificial intelligence in the service of human rights
AI in the service of human rights makes it possible to:
- Promote the right to information by facilitating access to information;
- Make it easier to prove in court whether or not human rights have been violated;
- Protect certain fundamental rights such as the inviolability of the home, the right to property and the right to evidence;
- To facilitate the enjoyment of the right to food and the right to health through support for environmental, plant and pharmaceutical research, remote surgery, etc.
Conclusion
There is no longer any doubt about AI’s ability to improve human rights and democracy in Africa. While AI’s potential for harm cannot justify its total abandonment today, there is an urgent need to lay down legal and ethical rules to minimize damage and take advantage of AI’s opportunities. The USA and the EU are working on this, so why not Africa?
