As the global AI race intensifies, Africa has a unique opportunity to own its AI transition rather than be a passive recipient of technology built elsewhere. This panel brings together leaders in AI infrastructure, talent development, and market formation to explore how the continent can build the compute capacity, cultivate the technical talent, and create the market conditions needed to compete and lead in the AI era.

As artificial intelligence reshapes industries globally, Africa stands at a pivotal moment to harness these tools for leapfrog development. This lunch-and-learn session features a conversation with OpenAI's Africa Lead on how AI is being deployed across the continent, the risks and opportunities it presents, and what African governments, entrepreneurs, and institutions must do to ensure the continent is a creator — not just a consumer — of AI innovation.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming industries globally, and while the potential for AI to drive development in Africa has long been recognized, the question remains: is the continent poised to realize this potential? This panel brings together voices in AI innovation, investment, and governance to explore the state of AI on the continent. The discussion will examine how AI is already being applied to solve some of Africa’s unique challenges, from enhancing retail supply chains to improving healthcare delivery. Panelists will also delve into the barriers preventing broader adoption and the ethical considerations of building AI systems for low-resource settings. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the current state of AI in Africa, the opportunities that exist, and the strategies required to bridge the gap between potential and impact

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