[applause] If Africa does not shape AI, then AI will shape Africa. A couple years ago, I was having a conversation with a good friend of mine named Nala. Nala was telling me about her upbringing in an impoverished rural town back home in Ghana. She was telling me that the educational system back home had broken down.There could be 50 students in one classroom sharing textbooks, pens, whatever they could just to get by. Nala wasn't even exposed to computers. despite there being a small internet cafe within t ...

Storytelling & Cultural Identity - The African culture is deeply rooted in storytelling, songs, dances, and chants, serving as a means to pass down traditions to younger generations [1][2][3] - There's a call to prioritize telling authentic African stories, showcasing values, and distinguishing cultural nuances like the difference between a "walk" and a "march" [4] - The industry recognizes a historical bias where "white" is often associated with angelic qualities and "black" with demonic ones, influencing choices even in clothing [5][6] - The speaker expresses frustration with the misrepresentation of African culture and names in scripts, advocating for accurate and respectful portrayals [7] Media & Representation - The industry is urged to reclaim its voice and tell its own stories, moving beyond stereotypical representations [8][15] - Social media is acknowledged as a powerful tool that has transformed how products are marketed and how talent is recognized, presenting an opportunity to share authentic narratives [8][9] - The speaker advocates for using social media to tell African stories, starting immediately by capturing and sharing images and narratives [10] - Storytelling should follow a structure with introduction, build-up, complication, climax, and resolution, while also embracing the collaborative and responsive nature of African storytelling [10][11][12][13][14] Cultural Preservation & Future - The speaker emphasizes the importance of remembering roots and traditions, as exemplified by the desire to evoke memories of home through storytelling [14] - There's a need to showcase the strength, trials, battles, and victories of Africa, moving away from depictions of weakness and poverty [18] - The speaker highlights how elements of African culture have been adopted and celebrated by others (like Hollywood), urging the industry to tell its own stories to the world [17][18]