Source: africanewsagency
The fourth revolution, artificial intelligence (AI), is turning the world upside down in a digital ecosystem. What about Algeria, which recently adopted a national AI strategy? In this interview, Younes Grar, an expert ICT consultant, discusses the opportunity this technology represents for the country’s economy, the conditions and constraints.
Interview by Nadjoua KHELIL, in Algiers
The digital ecosystem in Algeria has seen some development in recent times. Can you tell us more about it?
Younes Grar: Indeed, the digital ecosystem has experienced a certain dynamism, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has accelerated the development of digital offers and solutions, leading to the expansion of their uses, including teleworking, videoconferencing, distance learning, e-commerce, telemedicine, etc. This is an abrupt change in the habits of Algerians.
Algerian citizens have realized that they are lagging behind what is being done in other countries of the world in this area, due to the lack of adequate infrastructure and constraints related to the legal framework that hamper the emergence of these electronic services.
Start-ups have made this dynamic possible, by providing services and solutions via innovative applications and platforms that have been set up or adapted to the economic climate. This dynamic should continue after COVID-19 and extend to different sectors.
Algeria has adopted a ten-year national strategy for research and innovation in AI. Does it reflect an awareness?
I think it is to keep up with the trend in everything related to digital data. This strategy gives the main lines of mastery of this technology and its use.
However, for this strategy to be effective, synergy and complementarity are needed between universities and research centers.
There is also need to train skills in the field of AI, Research and Development laboratories, in order to better target the sectors where the contribution of AI is likely to improve the services provided to citizens: education, health, industry….
The observation of a technology watch is part of some regional projects in the framework of international cooperation, in addition to human and material resources: infrastructure, data center, skills needed in all specialties related to AI (data analysis and security, big data, algorithm, robotics).
Is the country preparing to join this global trend, or is it just wishful thinking?
Algeria should not be left behind of this global trend in AI. The political discourse must go in this direction, especially since this technology is a necessity to develop the various economic sectors.
Now is this strategy really going to materialize on the ground? We’re used to announcement effects from our decision-makers. But I hope that mentalities have changed enough to put words into action.
Does this mean that an AI development plan to facilitate the implementation of high-performance solutions is urgently needed?
Yes, AI and its advantages become unavoidable, especially in this context of pandemic and its constraints. We need real-time data from the field. For this, it is necessary to go towards adapted solutions (software, applications and big data to collect, process, analyze data).
However, it is essential to have a very reliable telecommunication infrastructure, which is missing in Algeria.
Algeria has local and diaspora expertise in AI. Can the deployment of this technology provide solutions to the economic crisis? What are the mechanisms?
The human potential does exist; it only waits to be unlocked. There are proven national skills in AI abroad (Canada, USA, China, Europe) and youth focused on new technologies that can move the country forward. However, these skills need a favorable environment.
To successfully translate this strategy into concrete actions, the contribution of startups is necessary, with young people carrying innovative ideas capable of transforming and prototyping them into projects, and demonstrating their interest. Yet, these start-ups need financial support.
Obviously, the ideal would be to direct startups towards the AI field and encourage them to specialize in its trades, to help economic recovery. Because, these innovative companies are the fabric that the country needs to build a more diversified and competitive economy.
But few start-ups are active in this field. Why this reluctance? Is the investment in this niche expensive?
It is necessary to create a business-university relationship, through an interface that reflects the needs and challenges of the company. Researchers work to solve the problems facing the economic fabric, hence the usefulness of bringing the results of their research to fruition.
This gateway will play the role of a bridge between businesses and the university and vice versa. Does it require a lot of investment? It depends on the projects.
Some see AI as a threat to employment. What is your opinion on this?
AI will lead to changes in the labor market. Jobs will disappear in favor of robotics. Obviously, there will be a reconversion of the workforce. This is where training comes in for the emergence of new profiles.
For example, if a business opts for automated solutions, workstations will disappear, but it will gain money, efficiency and market share.
AI presupposes that access to relevant and qualitative data is facilitated. Are our companies ready for this phase?
One of the prerequisites is infrastructure. We can’t talk about data processing and AI, cars, smart cities without a quality internet connection, with very high speed and affordable rates for everyone.
As such, Algeria is lagging behind, hence the need to think about concrete solutions to the infrastructure problem, necessary for the implementation of projects (big data, Internet connection, data storage).
Can the combination AI-digitalization be a lever of growth and an instrument of economic revival in Algeria?
The digital giants (Google, Facebook, Apple, Amazon) are initially companies that have invested heavily in AI, to innovate, create new products and services, thanks to systems based on big data. Today, these big ones are shaking up the world economy and weigh several hundred billion dollars.
Algeria therefore has an interest in giving importance to AI-related activities. It is an opportunity to prepare for the post-oil era. Building projects by integrating big data technologies will help our decision-makers to better manage the economy in crisis, especially since they will allow companies to improve productivity.
The means and skills do exist to initiate change. AI is the cutting edge of digital. However, we must have a strategy, a vision and a real political will.
