Business Quest 
Dilip Pal, Chief Financial Officer-Safaricom Plc
By Dilip Pal;
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a new phenomenon in our world. For decades, we have utilized AI for a variety of tasks, from the early days of the 1960s when AI programs played chess and solved algebra problems, to the 1970s and 1980s when AI was used in medical diagnostics and the management of complex manufacturing processes.
By the 1990s, AI had advanced to aid in logistics, financial market predictions and even early forms of natural language processing. For years, we have utilized AI for tasks like fraud detection, tailoring customer offerings and enhancing customer interactions. So, what’s new? The exciting development is that AI is now poised to benefit everyone, not just a select few.
When computers were first invented, they were a privilege of the elite. Remember those days when offices had designated computer rooms and access was limited to a handful of individuals? Back then, owning a personal computer was a distant dream for most people.
Computers were expensive and considered a status symbol.
Fast forward to today and the landscape has dramatically changed. Computers are ubiquitous in both offices and homes. Our mobile phones now offer capabilities similar to desktop computers. Think back to the era of dial-up broadband, when 126 kbps internet speed was a premium offering from service providers.
It was mobile telecommunications that disrupted this space, making mobile broadband affordable and accessible to the masses. 1 GBPS internet speed through mobile phone is possible in 5G era.
Today, the internet is no longer a privilege for a few but a utility for all.
This same transformation is happening with AI. AI is no longer reserved for large corporations or specialized professionals; it’s becoming accessible to everyone.
This movement is what we call the Democratization of AI, akin to how the internet became universally available.
The game-changer in this scenario is Generative AI, which is revolutionizing how we think about and use AI, much like how mobile technology democratized internet access.
We are witnessing history in the making. AI is being integrated into our daily lives in ways that, in hindsight, will make us marvel at its previous inaccessibility.
The true promise of AI lies in its potential to democratize knowledge and opportunities, making extraordinary capabilities available to all. This democratization ensures that AI is no longer a tool for the privileged few but a powerful resource for everyone.
Generative AI, in particular, has reshaped our approach to AI, making it more user-friendly and widespread.The integration of AI into various aspects of our lives will soon be so seamless that we’ll look back and wonder how we ever managed without it. The future holds a vision where AI empowers everyone, breaking down barriers and making advanced technology a common asset.
The democratization of AI is a transformative process that mirrors the historical evolution of computers and the internet. AI is now a tool for the masses, heralding a new era where knowledge and opportunities are universally accessible.
This is an exciting time and we are all part of this remarkable journey.
The Author is the Chief Financial Officer at Safaricom PLC
