China-Africa can usher in AI media revolution

Editor's note: The 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation convened in Beijing on Aug 20. One of the parallel sessions, "AI Integrated Applications in the Radio Television and Audio-Visual Sector", explored how artificial intelligence and digital technologies are creating new possibilities for China-Africa media cooperation. Below are reflections from four of the speakers, as reported by Li Wei of China Daily.

AI could help Africa find its voice

A young African woman loves to sing, cherishing both her talent and her country. For years, talent like hers was confined by geography, language and the prohibitive costs of reaching a wider audience. However, technology is beginning to change that. With digital platforms, artists who once had only a small audience can make their voice heard far beyond their local communities.

The potential of artificial intelligence in Africa is not just about making existing technologies faster or cheaper. It also offers the opportunity for more people to share their stories, in their own languages, and on their own terms.

This is particularly important in countries such as Benin, where more than 50 languages are spoken. Much of today's digital content is produced in a few dominant languages, creating a less visible digital divide. While people may have access to smartphones or the Internet, the technology often does not speak their language.

AI could change that. It can help produce and translate radio and television programs, educational materials and other forms of public information into local languages at a scale and cost that were previously unimaginable. Instead of relying on expensive, large-scale productions, communities could create content that responds to their own needs and circumstances.

The same technology can also help Africa preserve its rich history. Digital tools can help restore and organize archives, including historical records that might otherwise be lost. This ensures that future generations can connect with their heritage.

But a larger digital public sphere also introduces new risks. When everyone can become a publisher, the question is no longer simply who can speak, but how society can distinguish reliable information from manipulation. Cybersecurity, misinformation and the responsible management of digital platforms will therefore become as important as expanding access to technology itself.

This is where international cooperation can make a difference. Benin's experience shows that cooperation with China should extend beyond the mere transfer of technology. China's expertise in digital education, media platforms and technological applications offers valuable lessons for African countries to adapt to their circumstances. The goal should not be to reproduce another country's model, but to leverage technology to serve local needs.

Africa's technological future should not be measured by the number of AI systems it develops or how quickly it catches up with global technological powers. A more meaningful measure may be whether technology enables more Africans to learn, create, preserve their history and participate in public life.

The AI revolution will be truly inclusive only when it amplifies voices that have too often been left at the margins and empowers them to tell their stories through technology.

Aurélie Adam Soulé Zoumarou is the minister of digital economy and communications for Benin.