Kenya has been chosen to host the Eastern Africa Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence (EARFAI). To learn more about the Nairobi event, visit the link below:
This forum will take place from June 24 to 26, 2024, in Nairobi. Its focus is on harnessing AI for sustainable development.
The event is organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the Kenyan government and various stakeholders.
It aims to explore AI development, and governance, and identify gaps in capacity and institutions in Eastern Africa.
The forum also aims to enhance international cooperation in AI. This cooperation is vital for addressing both the potential benefits and risks associated with AI technologies.
Key themes
Governance and ethics:
- The Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence serves as a guide for ethical AI development. UNESCO member states adopted this recommendation in 2021.
- This recommendation emphasizes universal principles and values including education, culture, labor, well-being, gender equality, and information.
Capacities and partnerships:
- The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy in Kenya are leading the forum’s organization.
- Partnerships between local and international stakeholders are crucial for addressing AI’s challenges and leveraging its opportunities.
AI’s Growth in Africa
AI technologies are rapidly expanding across Africa.
The youth, who make up 70% of the continent’s population, are particularly driving this growth. This expansion is evident in various domains where AI models for language and image processing are overcoming physical and digital boundaries.
In Kenya’s recent events, Gen Zees used AI to drum up support for the Reject Finance Bill 2024 Campaigns.
Opportunities and Challenges
Opportunities:
- AI offers transformative possibilities in learning, work, innovation, and communication.
- These technologies facilitate content creation, personalization, and information synthesis.
Challenges:
- AI development poses ethical dilemmas and risks, including potential harms that need to be identified, assessed, and mitigated.
- Concerns about AI’s impact on education, scientific research, peace, security, creativity, freedom of information, and cultural diversity are significant.
Regional implications
For many African countries, AI systems in use are often developed outside the continent. These systems may not represent diverse African cultures and knowledge.
This reliance on external technologies highlights the need for a continental strategy to guide AI development in Africa.
Forum objectives
The forum will culminate in an outcome statement with actionable recommendations to promote AI development, ethical governance, and alignment with the African Union’s strategy on AI.
These recommendations aim to ensure that AI systems contribute positively to social, economic, and environmental goals in the region.
Conclusion
By gathering experts and stakeholders, the Eastern Africa Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence aims to address critical issues and harness AI’s potential for sustainable development in the region.
This event represents a significant step towards ethical AI governance and capacity building in Eastern Africa.
Key aspects to monitor:
- Development of ethical guidelines
- Capacity building initiatives
- International and local partnerships
- AI’s impact on various sectors including education, labor, and culture
