Author(s)

Eric Ateba Manga^1*, Ahmad Zaid Ejaz², Zainab Ilyas³

Affiliation(s)

¹Department of Defence, The Pentagon in Arlington County, Virginia, USA.

²Qualitative Researcher, University of Sahiwal, Pakistan.

³Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan.

Corresponding Author

Eric Ateba Manga

ABSTRACT

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform various sectors globally, including Africa. This paper investigates whether AI represents Africa’s opportunity or threat, considering the continent’s unique internet challenges, economic constraints, and infrastructural limitations. By examining AI’s potential benefits and risks within the African context, this study aims to provide a balanced analysis. The findings suggest that while AI offers significant economic growth and social development opportunities to users capable of taking advantage, it presents challenges that must be strategically managed and may exponentially contribute to the digital gap, drawing a line between advanced and developing countries.

KEYWORDS

Artificial intelligence; African development; Developing countries; Cyber security; Database; Electricity innovation

CITE THIS PAPER

Eric Ateba Manga, Ahmad Zaid Ejaz, Zainab Ilyas. Artificial intelligence: an opportunity or a threat for Africa? World Journal of Information Technology. 2025, 3(1): 38-46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.61784/wjit3019.

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