Climate change poses critical challenges for Africa in the 21st century, threatening to reverse the development gains. Across the continent, AI is being harnessed to address these challenges.
South Africa has deployed a low-cost, AI-driven air quality monitoring system named Ai_r, developed by particle physicists at the University of the Witwatersrand. Priced at $100 per unit and available in a compact box, Ai_r samples the air, collects and analyzes the data, and predicts pollution hotspots. This enables authorities to target interventions and improve air quality in critical areas.
Kenya’s Zamba Cloud uses AI to monitor satellite imagery for illegal logging in real time. This technology enables swift intervention to protect Africa’s forests, crucial for biodiversity and oclimate regulation.
In Ghana, researchers at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) developed RAGA (Rapid Assessment of Groundwater Availability), an AI-powered, open-source tool for predicting groundwater levels. RAGA allows for rapid assessments of groundwater availability, aiding stakeholders in managing water resources more effectively in the face of climate change.
These innovations highlight the potential of AI-driven solutions developed by Africans to play a vital role in addressing climate change’s impact across the continent.
