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Crowdsourcing Artificial Intelligence in Africa: Findings from a Machine Learning Contest

Author

Listed:
  • Naudé, Wim

    (RWTH Aachen University)

  • Bray, Amy

    (Zindi)

  • Lee, Celina

    (Zindi)

Abstract

In this paper, we study the crowdsourcing of innovation in Africa through a data science contest on an intermediated digital platform. We ran a Machine Learning (ML) contest on the continent's largest data science contest platform, Zindi. Contestants were surveyed on their motivations to take part and their perceptions about AI in Africa. In total, 614 contestants submitted 15,832 entries, and 559 responded to the accompanying survey. From the findings, we answered several questions: who take part in these contests and why? Who is most likely to win? What are contestants' entrepreneurial aspirations in deploying AI? What are the obstacles they perceive to the greater diffusion of AI in Africa? We conclude that crowdsourcing of AI via data contest platforms offers a potential mechanism to alleviate some of the constraints in the adoption and diffusion of AI in Africa. Recommendations for further research are made.

Suggested Citation

  • Naudé, Wim & Bray, Amy & Lee, Celina, 2021. "Crowdsourcing Artificial Intelligence in Africa: Findings from a Machine Learning Contest," IZA Discussion Papers 14545, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14545
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O36 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Open Innovation
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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