At the 86th Anniversary Speech and Prize-Giving Day of Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School (PRESEC), which happened to be the launch of what is being hailed as one of the most significant green AI labs in Africa, Bright Simons took to the stage with a message that was both provocative and inspiring.
Addressing the audience at one of Ghana’s most prestigious academic institutions, he posed a question that lingered in the air: “Can we really afford to wait until all our basic problems are solved before embracing AI?”
The answer, he said, was a resounding no. And over the course of his keynote speech, Simons passionately laid out why artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t a luxury for Africa but a necessity.
For Simons, the argument that Africa must “fix the basics” before engaging with advanced technologies like AI is not just flawed, it’s dangerous. He pointed to Togo as an example of how AI is already transforming lives. There, AI systems analyzed satellite images, statistics, and mobile data to identify 57,000 of the most vulnerable citizens for targeted financial aid.
“Think about that,” Simons said, his voice filled with conviction. “Fifty-seven thousand people getting help, not based on guesswork or bureaucracy, but on data. That’s the power of AI, and we need it now.”
Simons also drew from his groundbreaking work in healthcare. In 2010, his team helped Nigeria become the first country in the world to track medicine from factory to patient using AI, a feat that even developed nations have yet to replicate.
“It wasn’t just about technology,” he explained. “It was about saving lives. AI predicted where counterfeit medicines were likely to appear, giving us a head start in protecting vulnerable patients.”
He emphasized that AI’s potential isn’t limited to healthcare. Ghana’s energy sector, for example, suffers from inefficiencies that could be resolved with AI. By integrating data from generation, distribution, and financial systems, AI could provide policymakers with clear, actionable insights to address long standing issues.
Simons also highlighted education, where AI could help teachers design curricula and access the latest information, ensuring students are equipped for a rapidly changing world.
But Simons didn’t shy away from the challenges. Africa, he noted, isn’t ready. The continent contributes just 0.3% of global AI research, and gaps in infrastructure and education remain vast. Yet, for Simons, this isn’t a reason to hold back, it’s a call to action.
“This is our moment,” he declared. “AI isn’t just for tech experts. It’s for teachers, architects, farmers, and even politicians who don’t have time to read a hundred-page report. AI can simplify their work and empower them to make better decisions.”
Simons wrapped up his speech with a challenge: “Don’t let anyone tell you we’re not ready. AI is here, and it’s ours to seize. If we don’t, we’ll only fall further behind.”
