As Africa becomes increasingly data-driven, the continent is at a crucial juncture in shaping its approach to artificial intelligence (AI) development and governance. Governments and private sector actors are deploying data-driven technologies such as digital public infrastructure, fintech services, and precision agriculture. While the spread and a access to these technologies are still uneven, the growing digital ecosystem presents immense opportunities for African nations to harness AI. However, this rapid adoption also raises significant challenges, particularly regarding the ownership, flow, and governance of African data and the development of AI systems that align with African priorities.
To address these challenges, Africa has developed several frameworks to regulate data flows and enable AI development. Key initiatives include the AU Data Policy Framework, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the AU AI Strategy, and the ongoing efforts to come up with an African Resolution on Human Rights AI, Robotics and other Emerging Techniologies. These frameworks aim to govern data and AI. At the same time, global governance initiatives such as the Global Digital Compact, the WSIS+20 Review, and the AI for Humanity report offer additional tools for addressing Africa’s AI challenges at an international level.
This workshop will bring together experts in African Internet governance to explore how these regional and global frameworks can be leveraged to foster a just AI in Africa. It is part of a Research ICT Africa Project that seeks to underertand and facilitate conversations on African perspectives of just AI. With the African at the center of the discussions, the focus of the discussions will be on creating AI systems that are fair, inclusive, and aligned with Africa’s social and economic development goals, while addressing risks such as bias, digital dependency, and ethical concerns.
At the heart of the discussion are the questions of what just AI means for Africa, and how can the afforementioned regional and global technology governance instruments complement each other for the realisation of just AI.
The Africa Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) provides an ideal platform to explore how AI can be used to support Africa’s social and economic progress. Key themes for discussion will include: data governance, human rights, human prosperity, economic and social development, equality and ethical AI.