In the midst of the festive atmosphere at our firm's recent end of year party, I found myself engaged in a thought-provoking conversation with our group Chief Operating Officer. As we sipped at our drinks from the shores of Lake Muhazi, I couldn't resist asking him about the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the legal profession.

Pondering the future of legal work in a world dominated by AI capabilities, I posed to the COO, a seasoned lawyer who is respected across the African continent, a question that had been on my mind for a while: "Will AI eventually replace lawyers altogether?"

His response was not what I expected, as he calmly asserted, "legal work for smart and innovative lawyers will always be there; what AI will do is help these lawyers do a better job." This insight sparked a broader reflection on the role of AI in transforming not just the legal field but also the prospects for developing economies in Africa.

The apprehension surrounding AI's impact on developing economies, particularly in Africa, is not entirely unfounded. Separate researches from the IMF, UNCTAD, European Parliament, and the McKinsey Global Institute have raised concerns that the gap between developed and developing nations could widen, potentially leaving the latter with a smaller share of the economic benefits of the AI breakthrough.

However, amidst these concerns lies a compelling narrative of opportunity and growth. Contrary to widespread concerns that AI breakthroughs might exacerbate the developmental gap between developed and developing nations, technology holds immense promise for positive change. Across critical sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, financial services, etc, AI can serve as a catalyst for progress, which the African continent direly needs.

In the realm of healthcare, for example, AI has the potential to revolutionize the delivery of medical services in developing countries. By assisting doctors in decision-making processes, identifying diseases, and prescribing treatments, AI can significantly enhance healthcare outcomes. An exemplary case is Clinicas Del Azucar in Mexico, which utilizes AI to analyze data from diabetic patients, leading to improved health outcomes and more personalized care.

In the field of education, developing countries stand to benefit from AI by improving access to quality learning experiences. AI-driven personalized learning platforms can identify areas for improvement, adapt teaching methodologies, and enhance educational outcomes, leveling the playing field for students in resource-constrained environments.

Agriculture, the backbone of many developing economies like Rwanda, can equally witness a transformation through AI-powered solutions. Predictive analytics can assist farmers in making informed decisions about crop planting, irrigation, and pest control, ultimately boosting agricultural productivity and ensuring food security.

In financial services, AI can play a crucial role in deepening financial inclusion. Digital banking services, powered by AI, can easily reach underserved populations, while chatbots and virtual assistants can assist with financial queries and transactions, making financial services more accessible and efficient.

While the apprehensions highlighted by the researches mentioned above and others are valid, the key to achieving any benefit from AI by developing economies in Africa lies in recognizing AI not just as a challenge but as a catalyst for positive change across different sectors. Developing nations need to shift from the narrative of impending doom to a proactive approach that harnesses the potential of AI to revitalize and fortify their critical systems.

The above should be achieved, in part, by not waiting too long to catch up with AI best practices. Rather than fear the disruptions AI may bring, we should embrace it as an enabler of advancement and development. Restructuring industries to integrate AI more significantly and making necessary investment in research and infrastructure are crucial steps toward improving the continent’s AI adoption.

Remarkably, some nations in Africa are already taking strides towards this direction. Rwanda, for instance, has set forth an AI policy published in 2022, aiming to position the country as a global centre for AI research and innovation. The policy envisions leveraging AI to power economic growth, improve quality of life, and establish Rwanda as a global innovator for responsible and inclusive AI.

To achieve these ambitious goals, Rwanda aims at focusing on key drivers such as reskilling the workforce with AI and data skills, establishing foundations for world-class AI university education and applied research, adapting education systems to empower learners with globally competitive STEM skills, facilitating the exchange of students and professionals between Rwanda and developed countries, and developing enabling regulatory environment that guarantees safety, among other strategies.

As we chart a course into an AI-driven future and the achievement of Artificial general intelligence (AGI) as OpenAI’s Sam Altman hopes, it is crucial for policymakers across developing economies in Africa to recognize the transformative potential of AI. Rather than succumbing to the fear of displacement and adopting the infamous wait and see approach, they should view AI as a powerful tool that, if wielded strategically, can potentially propel our nations forward. By investing in AI education, research, and infrastructure, these nations can create an environment conducive to growth, and fostering a force of positive changes needed in critical sectors.

The rise of AI presents imminent crossroads for developing economies in Africa—a choice between reluctance and resilience, stagnation and progress. The narrative should shift from the fear of job displacement to a strategic vision that harnesses AI for economic and societal advancement. The experience shared at our 2023 end-of-year party underscores the perspective that, for professionals like lawyers, AI is not a threat but a tool that can enhance their capabilities, so is for other sectors.

The views expressed in this article are of the author.

The author is a corporate and commercial lawyer at ENSafrica in Rwanda.

Email; fcuicredidi@ensafrica.com