Theme: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa: Governance, Ethics, Capacities, and Partnerships
- Date: June 24 – 26, 2024
- Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Overview
Join us at the UNESCO-Eastern Africa Sub-Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence (EARFAI2024), an event dedicated to exploring the potential of AI in driving sustainable development across Eastern Africa.
Hosted in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, this three-day forum will bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss governance, ethics, capacities, and partnerships in the field of AI.
Event highlights
Opening ceremony
Date: June 24, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM (UTC+3)
Speakers:
- Ms. Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General, Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO
- Representative of the Africa Union Commission (AUC), Department of Infrastructure and Energy (DIE)
- Dr. Richard Belio Kipsang, Principal Secretary, State Department for Basic Education, Ministry of Education, Kenya (TBC)
- Eng. John Tanui, Principal Secretary, State Department for ICT and Digital Economy, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, Kenya (TBC)
- Keynote Address: Amb. Philip Thigo, MBS, Special Envoy on Technology, Advisor on Data and Open Government at the Office of the President of Kenya
Day 1: Building an Enabling Environment for AI
Time: 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM
Session: Building an enabling environment for AI development, application, and ethical use in Eastern Africa
Moderator: Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General, Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO
Panellists:
- Dr. Suraj Judoo, Executive Director, Mauritius Digital Promotion Agency
- Ms. Mary Kerema, Secretary for ICT and E-Government, Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy, Kenya
- Dr. Taye Girma, Deputy General Director, Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute
- Ms. Diana Nyakundi, Research Fellow, Research ICT Africa
- Mr. Essa Mohamedali, Co-founder & Community Manager, Tanzania AI Community
- Dr. Rachel Adams, Executive Director, African Observatory for Responsible AI
Day 2: AI Policies and Strategies
Date: June 25, 2024
Session: AI Policies and Strategies: Perspectives from Eastern Africa
Moderator: Ms. Misako Ito, Regional Advisor for Communication and Information in Africa, UNESCO
Discussion topics:
- AI capabilities and frameworks in Eastern Africa
- Linkages with regional, continental, and global processes
- Leveraging AI for SDGs and AU Agenda for 2063
Day 3: Future of AI in Eastern Africa
Date: June 26, 2024
Sessions: Various panels and discussions focusing on the future directions and innovations in AI for sustainable development in Eastern Africa.
Registration
Be a part of this significant event by registering through the official registration page.
Contact information
For more information, please visit the UNESCO event page or contact team at [email protected].
Join the conversation
Stay updated and join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #EARFAI2024.
We look forward to welcoming you to Nairobi for this pivotal forum on harnessing AI for sustainable development in Eastern Africa!
