by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – GOOGLE has invested some US$900 million of the $1 billion it pledged to invest in Africa, over five years from 2021, to support the continent’s digital transformation.
The technology corporation assures it is on course to attain the overall target, as set, next year.
Maureen Costello, Google Cloud Vice President: United Kingdom, Ireland and Sub-Saharan Africa, provided an update as she presented during the annual Singularity Summit South Africa.
“We have invested over $900 million to date and expect to fulfill that (target) in 2026,” she told delegates at the conference that began in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
Costello was participating at a session titled, “The Future is Faster than You Think. Why Your Business Needs to Bet on AI.”
The executive described the potential of AI in Africa as immense and Google’s commitment as deeper than ever.
She believes AI has prospects of accelerating progression in education and health care, among other services citizens are eager for delivery.
“Our success depends on the ability to do three things,” Costello said.
“First, we must be bold. Let’s push the boundaries of what technology can do to solve uniquely African challenges and save your communities and your customers.”
“Secondly, we must be responsible. As leaders, we have a duty to build trust at the heart of every decision and thirdly we must collaborate. No one can do this alone,” she added.
“(Thirdly) We need strong partnerships across the industry, government and academia to unlock the full potential of AI. If we are bold and responsible we can build a digital future that works for everyone in Africa.”
The technology firm announced its investment in the continent during its inaugural Google for Africa event, at the height of the COVID-19 crisis.
The investment includes the Equiano subsea cable that connects Europe and Southern Africa, training of youth and financial support to African startups among others.
– CAJ News