Libé: Can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Derguene Mbaye: I am a research engineer in artificial intelligence, specialized in automatic language processing, more particularly Senegalese languages such as Wolof. I work at a company called Baamtu, specializing in AI, software development and big data, where I do research and development. At the same time, I am preparing a thesis at the Ecole supérieure polytechnique de Dakar. I am also supported by Google as part of a mentoring program.
Finally, I co-founded GalsenAI, the largest artificial intelligence community in Senegal, with two thousand active members. We carry out numerous promotional and popularization activities, in partnership with Google, and we work on open source projects. We’ve been doing popularization work since 2018, and back then we were already talking about language models, the technology at the heart of ChatGPT. We have carried out several activities with companies like Nespresso which explored the first use case of AI in a challenge approach.
How can Africa bridge the digital divide in the global competition for artificial intelligence?
In Africa, it is crucial, in areas as complex as AI, to be able to learn from the best and develop synergies to avoid accentuating the technological divide between the countries of the North and those of the South. Although there is still a long way to go, there are many initiatives, such as the development of digital infrastructure, telecommunications, computing and data storage, which are emerging. In addition, there are ambitious programs for the development and financing of businesses and startups in Africa. If Africa follows this direction, it will be able to position itself in this area.
How can we develop AI in Africa with the domination of oral and non-written languages?
The language barrier can be a difficulty, but take the example of WhatsApp’s meteoric breakthrough in Africa, due to its voice use. There is no language barrier. If we can get illiterate populations to use these applications in their own language today, this can bridge the gap and have a significant impact in terms of digital and financial inclusion. Furthermore, most African countries are behind in digital consumption, which penalizes us in collecting data allowing us to have applications in our image.
Do African countries have the means to retain their skills while young people are in demand by Europe and America? How can Africa keep its talents?
That’s a great question. There is an inequality in economic power between European and African countries, which makes it difficult to compete with companies like Google. We must first develop an ecosystem in these countries, beyond salaries. We must create a stimulating work environment, offer opportunities and promote local creation. Young people in Africa must have role models of success that they can identify with.
Cooperation between African countries, for example between Morocco and Senegal which are close countries, could promote an environment and an ecosystem for these young creators.
Cooperation between African countries is very important. There are initiatives in this area, but it is crucial to strengthen them. African countries must collaborate, even if there are differences in maturity. For example, Morocco is very advanced in artificial intelligence, and other African countries can learn a lot from its experience and vice versa.
There are national strategies for the development of AI in countries like Morocco and Senegal. These strategies include collaboration projects and openness to international cooperation, which is very promising. The African Union also offers sub-regional projects that should be encouraged.
Marseille: Comments collected by Youssef Lahlali
