Mauritius Shines with AI Readiness Index Score: 53.27

According to the latest AI Readiness Index 2023, Mauritius has taken the top spot among African countries, followed closely by Egypt in second place. Morocco, on the other hand, has secured the sixth position in this category.

Globally, Mauritius has ranked 61st, with Egypt taking the 62nd spot, followed by South Africa (77th), Tunisia (81st), and Rwanda (84th). Morocco has placed 88th in the global ranking.

The AI Readiness Index is a comprehensive report that evaluates 39 indicators across public and private sectors, data and infrastructure, and technological spheres.

The report highlighted that Africa’s top performers, including Mauritius, South Africa, and Egypt, have created favorable ecosystems for technological innovation.

The report noted that six African countries have supported the development of artificial intelligence (AI) startups and companies through progressive government policies.

However, countries like Côte d’Ivoire continue to lag behind, highlighting the disparities within the continent.

The report emphasized the importance of adopting a global and strategic approach to prepare African nations for AI adoption.

The AI Readiness Index explained that despite Sub-Saharan Africa having the lowest average score of any world region, there has been real growth over the past 12 months, with three countries publishing new national AI strategies and one announcing a forthcoming strategy.

Mauritius stood out as a leader in the region, with a score of 53.27, followed by South Africa, Rwanda, Senegal, and Benin in the top five.

Mauritius’s strength lay mainly in its government pillar, with a score of 69.82, 10 points higher than its score in any other pillar.

South Africa led the region in both the Data & Infrastructure pillar and the Technology Sector pillar.

Despite the potential benefits of AI on economic integration and service delivery for Africa’s growing population, the report noted that digital divides and other structural inequalities hinder widespread adoption of technology.

Education is scarce, and the continent struggles to compete globally in terms of AI progress due to prohibitively high costs of internet and high-speed internet access.

In some African regions, internet and high-speed internet access costs could represent up to 44% of GDP.

The report highlighted the need for a strategic approach to address these challenges and ensure that African nations are better equipped to harness the benefits of AI.

Source: Defi Media