AU member states approve AI and Digital Compact Strategy

By Doreen Ampofo

African Union member states have approved the Union’s strategy for AI and a digital compact. The strategy will ensure that member states take advantage of the positives of AI to preserve the continents’ identity, language, and culture while preventing unethical use.

The AU Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization, Dr. Amani Abou-Zeid, who was speaking to journalists at the Sixth African Union Mid-Year Coordination Meeting in Accra said Africa must leverage on AI for productivity.

The evolution of artificial intelligence as a transformation in the digital space has, for a while, sparked conversations regarding exploring its gains and mitigating its ills. The African Union’s approved strategy for AI and a digital compact call for investment in African youth, innovators, computer scientists, data experts, and AI researchers to lead the continent’s AI development. It will position Africa as a leader in the global digital economy, promoting homegrown digital solutions through a strong talent pool and public-private partnerships. Dr Amani Abou-Zeid encouraged member states to have country specific AI strategies to derive the maximum benefit.

”This is good news, and I am excited because, look, whether you like it or not, as you wake up and switch on your phone, someone has already documented what you are doing on the phone that day. It’s good we leverage on, it’s good, but we cannot also overlook the ills. This technology is obviously not tailored for Africans, so we need to have a strategy to ensure we preserve our cultures, languages, and who we are,” she explained.

The AU Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy, and Digitalization said the commission will be supporting countries in developing laws and regulations on the use of artificial intelligence.

The document will be presented to the United Nations as Africa’s position at the Summit of the Future, which will be held in September.

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