Ghana's National AI Strategy should cover power sector, says policy review

Ghana’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy requires urgent expansion to incorporate the power sector as the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) moves toward private sector participation. A recent policy analysis emphasizes that while the national strategy aims to foster ethical AI use, it currently overlooks the specific complexities of utility management and energy distribution. As ECG prepares for a transition to private involvement by 2027, experts warn that the integration of automated systems for billing and revenue collection must be governed by specific regulatory frameworks to protect consumers and national interests. The transition involves shifting critical functions like revenue collection to private entities that may increasingly rely on AI algorithms to manage operations. This shift raises significant concerns regarding data handling, accountability, and the potential for automated errors in decision-making processes. Given existing inefficiencies within the current power distribution system, the policy review suggests that without clear rules, the introduction of AI could exacerbate disputes over billing and service delivery. The analysis advocates for maintaining state access to customer data and ensuring that any private partner operates under strict transparency requirements to maintain public trust. To mitigate these risks, the review proposes several specific safeguards, including the mandatory inclusion of human oversight in critical actions such as service disconnections. Furthermore, it calls for independent performance verification and fairness checks to ensure that AI-driven systems do not disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Strengthening the capacity of regulatory bodies like the Energy Commission and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is seen as essential for monitoring these advanced technologies effectively. These recommendations come as Ghana establishes a Responsible AI Authority to oversee the ethical deployment of technology across various sectors. Integrating the power sector into the national strategy is presented not just as a technical requirement, but as a necessary step to secure investments and ensure equitable energy access for all citizens. Establishing these operational rules before the full implementation of AI algorithms is expected to provide a stable environment for private sector partners while safeguarding the rights of Ghanaian electricity consumers.