AI in Africa: It’s a matter of MIND

AI in Africa: It's a matter of MIND

5 September 2024 - Wits University

As the world races ahead with AI advancements, concerns are mounting that Africa could be left behind. Enter the Wits MIND Institute.

Wits University is in the process of establishing the Wits Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery Institute (MIND Institute). This Initiative is designed to push the boundaries of natural and artificial intelligence research through robust interdisciplinary collaboration.

After two years of planning, the Institute aims to deepen our understanding of both human and machine intelligence while developing technologies to tackle major AI challenges.

"We don't pursue these goals because they are easy, but because they are difficult. AI development is advancing rapidly, yet Africa's involvement remains limited," says Professor Zeblon Vilakazi, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits University. "An African AI Institute is essential to drive forward innovative research and policy-making, ensuring that AI development and deployment reflect the continent's diverse cultural landscape and address the needs of over one billion people."

A hub for interdisciplinary research

MIND will bring together experts in the fields such as computer and mathematical sciences, neuroscience, psychology, archaeology, anthropology, philosophy, the creative arts, and governance.

"Wits University is uniquely placed to contribute to AI research and capacity building in South Africa and Africa. One of the key goals is to nurture and expand our AI talent pool," says Professor Lynn Morris, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Research and Innovation.

"This focus on talent development is crucial for establishing a robust AI research community, capable of competing on the global stage. "By focusing on talent development, defining strategic research areas, and securing necessary funding and infrastructure, the MIND Institute will accelerate the advancement and commercialization of cutting-edge AI technologies," says Morris.

AI in Africa: Consumer vs developer

AI in Africa is currently a mix of growing potential, active development, and persistent challenges.

Despite the continent's growing potential in AI, significant challenges-ranging from infrastructure deficits and talent shortages to limited research funding-threaten to slow its progress. Without strategic investments and collaboration, Africa risks becoming a consumer rather than a creator in the global AI economy.

"The Wits MIND Institute aims to drive homegrown innovation that addresses the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the African context," says Benjamin Rosman, Professor in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, and Director of the Robotics, Autonomous Intelligence and Learning Lab (RAIL Lab). Rosman is the Director of MIND and leading the establishment of the Institute.

"As it advances the science of intelligence and shapes the future of AI policy, the MIND Institute will play a critical role in ensuring that Africa not only participates in but also leads the next wave of AI innovation," says Rosman.

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MIND Fellows - Applications are now open

As a first stop to introduce the MIND Institute to the Wits community, some 40+ cross-faculty and cross-disciplinary academics, and researchers gathered at Wits University's Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct.

The meeting also announced the application for the MIND Fellow programme. This is an opportunity for any Wits academics or researchers from diverse fields of study to apply for the three-year programme. The MIND Fellows will be expected to participate in the Institute's activities and help grow MIND as a hub for inter- and multi-disciplinary AI research and idea-sharing.

The MIND Fellows are the core of the Institute. Each will apply with the details of a project they are working on that relates in some way to the study of intelligence. MIND will run deep-dive workshops and other events on themes related to the Fellows' projects, to form new collaborations and advance this research.

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Wits experts share what they have in MIND

A broad range of speakers also shared their visions of interacting with the new Institute in future:

The latest AI models are hugely expensive, costing $100M and needing 100 MW of electricity to train. Africa cannot easily compete with this. But the human brain runs on just 30W of power, so profound intelligence is possible with small power consumption. By bringing together researchers working on all branches of intelligence MIND has the opportunity to unlock some of the secrets of low-power natural intelligence and apply them to AI

-- Distinguished Professor Bruce Bassett, School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics

As the research from IDORI, the Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute pushes the envelopes of discovery and impact on health in Africa and globally, MIND will be play an integral role in such areas as designing affordable screening tests for identifying cancers early enough for effective treatment, providing guidance on conventional diagnostics and therapy to general practitioners in locations without oncologists, and identifying new and feasible approaches for prevention and therapy for cancers in Africa, among many other concepts. Early-in-career scientists at Wits need to be on the cutting edge of machine intelligence to advance their research throughout their careers. MIND will be a powerful resource and partner for IDORI for promoting research careers carrying out innovative and impactful science at Wits.

-- Distinguished Professor Robert Breiman, Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute

The School of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics is a powerhouse in AI research, boasting among the highest concentration of AI experts in Africa. With 18 academics working directly in fundamental AI research and publishing in the top AI venues in the world, we are the leading AI research publishers in Africa. Further, boasting over 400 postgraduate students in AI and Data Science programmes from Postgraduate Diplomas through to PhDs, we are well positioned to act as a technical foundation for interdisciplinary research in the MIND Institute, demonstrating our commitment to fundamental and applied AI research alongside projects with profound social impact.

-- Professor Richard Klein, Deputy Head of the School of Computer and Applied Mathematics

The MIND Institute is a formalisation of existing collaborations that have happened fairly organically in the University with the Neuroscience Research Lab (www.witsneurl.com) and computer sciences, biomedical engineering, health sciences, anatomy and physiology (to name a few). There is no doubt that the MIND Institute would formalise these cross-disciplinary collaborations and would create a space for future cutting-edge research that compares aspects of cognition across animals, humans and machines on key features of intelligent behaviour.

-- Professor Kate Cockcroft, Department of Psychology in the School of Human and Community Development

In collaboration with Wits School of Governance, the MIND institute will become more than just a research facility; it will contribute to a comprehensive hub of knowledge and education. By bringing together cutting-edge AI research and practical governance training, we create a unique environment where public administrators and leaders can gain the skills and insights necessary to address the specific challenges South Africa is currently facing.

-- Associate Professor Geci Karuri-Sebina, Digital Governance in the Wits School of Governance

The power of fundamental research to generate ideas upstream could result in interesting downstream innovations that we can drive out of the University as a vector for change in society. There is a unique synergistic relationship between MIND and the Wits Innovation Centre (WIC) that is well-poised to drive innovations. It's the best time ever to be an innovator at Wits as we try to combine favourable policies with enabling resourcing. This means inventors have real incentives to create and to help drive change that's good for all. The MIND Institute fits in extremely well with the Wits Innovation Strategy, as it will be interdisciplinary, work at the cutting edge of technology, and potentially create the real impact that can be cultivated with the WIC.

-- Dr Adam Pantanowitz, the Angela and David Fine Chair in Innovation, Wits Innovation Centre

#AIforGood | #WitsForGood

In addition to technical research, the Institute will include philosophers and ethicists to address broader questions about the relationship between humans and machines, and how to embed African values into AI systems. By engaging with policymakers, the Institute will contribute to developing of frameworks that ensure the ethical and responsible deployment of AI technologies.

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