Use and Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Climate Change Adaptation in Africa

Abstract

Although Climate Change is a global phenomenon, the impact in Africa is anticipated to be greater than in many other parts of the world. This expectation is supported by many factors, including the relatively low shock tolerance of many African countries and the relatively high percentage of African workers engaged in the agricultural sector. High-income countries are increasingly turning their focus to climate change adaptation, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a critical tool in those efforts. Algorithms using AI are making better predictions on the short- and long-term effects of climate change, including predictions related to weather patterns, floods and droughts, and human migration patterns. It is not clear, however, that Africa is (or will be) maximally benefitting from those AI tools, particularly since they are largely developed by highly developed countries using data sets that are specific to those same countries. It is therefore important to characterize the efforts underway to use AI in a way that specifically benefits Africa in climate change adaptation. These efforts include projects undertaken physically in Africa as well as those that have Africa as their focus. In exploring AI projects in or about Africa, this chapter also looks at the sufficiency of such efforts and the variety of approaches taken by researchers working with AI to address climate change in Africa.

Integration of Technology in Agricultural Practices towards Agricultural Sustainability: A Case Study of Greece

“…Similar to how the adoption of technology is influenced, so too is the dissemination of technology by factors including relative benefit, complexity, divisibility, and compatibility [15]. Related studies show that farmers may base their choices on past weather trends and future projections by using GIS apps that include climate and meteorological data [82,83]. Access to precise and fast weather information is crucial for making choices on planting and harvesting schedules, pest and disease management, and irrigation scheduling in Greece, a country where climatic unpredictability and severe weather events are becoming more common as a result of climate change.…”

“…Agriculture is now more economically viable as a result of technology integration. Farmers now earn more money and spend less on production because of higher agricultural yields and resource efficiency [11,36,83]. Furthermore, the sale of agricultural goods with technological enhancements has increased Greece's agricultural export market, which has aided in the economic expansion of the nation.…”

AI in agriculture: A comparative review of developments in the USA and Africa

“…AI-driven advisory services leverage weather data, soil information, and historical crop performance to offer personalized recommendations to smallholder farmers. Mobile applications or voice-based interfaces allow farmers to access these services, receiving guidance on optimal planting times, irrigation schedules, and pest management strategies (Rutenberg, et al, 2021;Abrahams et al, 2023). The democratization of such AI-powered tools ensures that even farmers with limited resources and education can benefit from advanced agricultural insights.…”

Ai Integration in Business Analytics: A Review of Usa and African Trends

“…Small and medium-sized enterprises are also implementing AI-based business models to enhance their competitiveness in the global market (Garrel & Jahn, 2021). In the context of Africa, AI deployments present both benefits and challenges, necessitating comprehensive policy dimensions to harness its potential effectively (Rutenberg et al, 2021;Gwagwa et al, 2020). Additionally, AI is playing a crucial role in climate change adaptation in Africa, where its impact is anticipated to be significant (Rutenberg et al, 2021).…”

“…In the context of Africa, AI deployments present both benefits and challenges, necessitating comprehensive policy dimensions to harness its potential effectively (Rutenberg et al, 2021;Gwagwa et al, 2020). Additionally, AI is playing a crucial role in climate change adaptation in Africa, where its impact is anticipated to be significant (Rutenberg et al, 2021). The impact of AI extends beyond business analytics, encompassing healthcare, retail, climate change adaptation, and the global market, thereby shaping strategic imperatives and policy dimensions.…”