Swaraj Ram is an IT professional from Mauritius with experience in digital systems, technology support, and organisational transformation. His interests include ethical technology, digital inclusion, and Africa’s role in shaping global innovation.
Artificial Intelligence is changing the world fast. It is affecting how countries are run and how people live. In Africa the big question now is not if they will use Artificial Intelligence
but who will be in control of it.
From where I stand as an IT professional in Mauritius Africa is, at a point where it has to make a choice. It can. Take charge of how it uses technology or it can rely too much on
other countries. Artificial Intelligence is a part of this decision. Africa has to think about how it wants to use Artificial Intelligence.
Over Africa we see artificial intelligence tools being used more and more in banks, hospitals, customer service, farms and government offices. The thing is, most of these
artificial intelligence systems are created, owned and controlled by people outside of Africa. Now artificial intelligence tools do make things easier and more innovative.
They also have ideas, data and goals that are not really suited to Africa. This is a problem because it means African institutions might just be using intelligence tools without
having a say, in how they are developed. African institutions should be the ones shaping the future of intelligence not just using it.
In Mauritius and other African countries I think there is a lot of potential for growth. We have more people who are good at working with computers and technology. The internet is also getting better and more people are interested in ideas and innovation.
When it comes to the things that make Artificial Intelligence work, like big computers and lots of data these things are mostly coming from outside Mauritius and other African
countries. This is a problem because it means that the people in Mauritius and other African countries are not getting much benefit from Artificial Intelligence as they could be. It also means that they have to rely on countries, for these things even if it seems like they are doing well with Artificial Intelligence on the surface. Artificial Intelligence is limited in Mauritius and other African countries because of this.
To have control over Artificial Intelligence in Africa we need to start making our own Artificial Intelligence instead of just using what others make. This does not mean that every African country has to create its big Artificial Intelligence systems from nothing. It means that we should put our money into creating systems for collecting and using data
in our countries work together with other African countries to do research and make rules that help Africa. The information we collect in Africa should be used to help Africa not to make money for companies in other parts of the world. Artificial Intelligence, in Africa should be used for development and Artificial Intelligence should serve the people of Africa.
Another important thing is skills. We have people who are good with technology but many African professionals are mainly doing the work and not making the big decisions. We
need to make sure they know about lots of things, not technology, but also about what is right and wrong and how it affects people and society. This is really important.
Artificial Intelligence should not be just seen as a tool. As something that affects everyone so we need leaders who include everyone when making decisions, about
Artificial Intelligence.
Things are looking up because people are starting to do something about the problem. There are places that study Artificial Intelligence and people are talking about using Artificial Intelligence in a way. We need to make sure these things happen all over the region and that they are good for Africa.
Small countries, like Mauritius can help a lot with Artificial Intelligence. They can be a place to try out Artificial Intelligence in a way and help countries work together. Artificial Intelligence is important. We need to make sure it is used well.
Ultimately, Africa’s AI future will be defined not by how quickly technologies are adopted, but by who controls the narrative, the data, and the decisions. The choice between agency and dependency is still open—but it requires intentional leadership, regional collaboration, and a long-term vision that places African societies at the center of technological progress.
