AI holds transformative potential to accelerate access to clean, reliable, and equitable energy systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In regions like sub-Saharan Africa, where centralised grids remain limited, AI-driven solutions such as predictive maintenance, smart metering, and energy demand forecasting are enabling decentralised renewable energy systems to thrive. These innovations can enhance affordability, reliability, and efficiency, especially for underserved and off-grid populations.
However, unless carefully designed and governed, AI applications risk reproducing existing social and gender inequalities. Evidence shows that most AI models are not gender-responsive and often lack contextual sensitivity to the lived realities of women and marginalised groups. While some global and national frameworks acknowledge these equity gaps, implementation remains weak, and cross-sector alignment is limited.
To ensure that AI accelerates and does not undermine sustainable and inclusive energy transitions, governments and development actors must invest in gender-responsive design, strengthen local technical capacity, and embed ethical governance in AI enabled energy programmes.