TinyML in Africa: Opportunities and Challenges
Abstract
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and Machine Learning (ML) is driving the emergence of TinyML, a subset of ML for which models are constrained to be executed on low resource embedded devices. Currently, most IoT applications in Africa are based on cloud-centric architecture making it difficult to enjoy ML-driven intelligence due to connectivity, energy, and cost challenges making tinyML an ideal solution to such challenges. This paper presents an introduction to TinyML and discusses its general applications, solutions to concerns on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and the Information Technology for Development (ICT4D) TinyML technology requirements. TinyML applications classifications are highlighted with specific examples from Africa. Different challenges for the adoption of tinyML in Africa have also been presented with the opportunities that can arise from such challenges being shown. This paper shows how tinyML has great potential in Africa where the use of Embedded systems and AI is still underexploited.
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This can be challenging in certain locations [115], such as in Africa [18], where internet bandwidth may not be sufficient to support quick transmission to the cloud.
“However, this can be challenging in certain locations [115], such as in Africa [18], where internet bandwidth may not be sufficient to support the quick transmission to the cloud.”
From A Comprehensive Survey on TinyML (2023) · cites this paper as [18]
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A Comprehensive Survey on TinyML
Abadade, Y., Temouden, A., Bamoumen, H., Benamar, N., Chtouki, Y., & Hafid, A. S. (2023) · IEEE Access · doi:10.1109/access.2023.3294111 · Cited by 366 · see citing works
“TinyML holds enormous potential in SF, especially in Africa where embedded systems and AI are currently underutilized [18].”
BackgroundMethodInfluential
- Authors
- Ooko, S. O., Muyonga Ogore, M., Nsenga, J., & Zennaro, M.
- Affiliations
- University of Rwanda (RW)
- University of Rwanda,African Center of Excellence in Internet of Things,Kigali,Rwanda
- The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) (IT)
- Venue
- 2021 IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps)
- Publisher
- IEEE
- Published
- 2021-12
- Pages
- 1-6
- OpenAlex
- W4206988008
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5
- FWCI
- 4.15
- Type
- conference paper
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- IEEE Globecom Workshops (GC Wkshps) (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Internet of Things and AI
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computer Networks and Communications › IoT and Edge/Fog Computing
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › ICT in Developing Communities
- Keywords
- TinyML, Internet of Things, embedded systems, resource-constrained devices, Africa, ICT for development, Sustainable Development Goals, AI adoption barriers, edge computing
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