Ataya: The HUMA Interdisciplinary Seminar Series

Speaker: Azza Mustafa Babikir Ahmed (HUMA Postdoctoral Research Fellow)

Topic: Artificial intelligence (AI) -an umbrella term for technologies that demonstrate some intelligence- will continue to play a key role in shifting science, technology and innovation (STI) in biomedical research in Africa. Abundant scientific papers, industrial reports and policy documents tell us how “good” AI is in revolutionising biomedical research and drug discovery and improving healthcare management. However, research seldom focuses on how AI is embedded in sociotechnical and ethical entanglements that have an impact on how these technologies unfold, especially AI developed in Africa by Africans, where many countries are witnessing a race towards developing and deploying AI in all aspects of STI, including malaria research. Despite the efforts made in biomedical research to tackle the spread of malaria, develop vaccines and therapeutics, and develop preventive measures, malaria remains a pressing global threat, especially in Africa. In this paper, I aim to understand the aspirations and challenges of developing and deploying AI in malaria research in Ghana, as experienced by scientists from Ghana who work in Ghanaian research institutions, who have extensive experience in areas where malaria is endemic. In most cases, those scientists assert that the integration of AI in malaria research promises prompt innovation in malaria diagnosis, drug discovery, vector control, and epidemiological forecasting, among other aspects of malaria prevention and control.

Drawing on an interview with a scientist from the West Africa Centre for Cell Biology of Infectious Pathogens (WACCBIP) at the University of Ghana, I examine the sociotechnical and ethical complexities of AI development in malaria research. Findings indicate that, although local scientists are enthusiastic about AI, as evidenced by their engagement in several AI development projects, they also face numerous challenges, including limited access to data for training AI models, inadequate research infrastructure, reliance on external funding, and the absence of AI policies and regulations. This exploration requires further research to develop a deeper understanding of the current state of AI development for STI in Africa, to identify frameworks that support STI in Africa, and ensure that they thrive ethically, positioning the continent as a major global partner.

 

About the speaker: Azza Ahmed is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at HUMA and UCT Sustainable Development Goals and African Vision 2063 postdoctoral cohort funded by the University of Cape Town. Ahmed obtained her PhD in Anthropology form Bayreuth International Graduate School of African Studies in Germany. Her focus is on Urban Anthropology, Digital Anthropology, Medical Anthropology, and Science Technology and Society. Her current research is entitled: “No one is safe until everyone is safe”: decolonising science, technology, and innovation in vaccine development Hubs in Ghana and South Africa. The research focuses on the sociotechnical challenges facing vaccines discovery, development, and technology transfer in Africa and the efforts to overcome these challenges. Ahmed joined HUMA in January 2021 under the research project Future Hospitals: the fourth Industrial revolution and the ethics of healthcare in Africa (2021-2022), funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Her research focus was on the development and the deployment of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare systems in Africa with focus on Ghana. She held several positions, including, a research associate at the Institute of Geography- University of Bonn, Germany, and a Research associate at the Chair of Social Geography at the University of Bayreuth, Germany. She was a lecturer at the University of Gezira, Sudan and a Research and Coordination Assistant at the Gender and Development programme, Development Studies, and Research Institute (DSRI)- University of Khartoum, Sudan. 

 

How Ataya works: One presenter and their work – in exchange with the audience. Each Ataya session engages with selected work by the presenter (a text, artwork, performance, even food). The presenter introduces their work and grounds the subsequent discussion with the participants. For best engagement, we recommend participants to view the work (made available in advance on our website) before the session. More on the Ataya Series