NAIROBI, Kenya- In an exciting development for the tech world, Kenya has been selected to host the Eastern Africa Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence (EARFAI).
Slated to take place in Nairobi from June 24 to 26, 2024, this prestigious event promises to be a cornerstone in shaping the future of AI in the region.
The forum, themed “Harnessing AI for Sustainable Development in Eastern Africa: Governance, Ethics, Capacities, and Partnerships,” aims to scrutinize AI’s growth, governance, and potential in Eastern Africa.
UNESCO Leads the Charge on Ethical AI
UNESCO, a key organizer of the forum, is committed to fostering international cooperation and promoting the ethical development of AI.
This commitment aligns with the landmark recommendation on the ethics of Artificial Intelligence, adopted by UNESCO member states in November 2021.
This recommendation is the first global instrument providing a framework for making AI systems beneficial to humanity, society, and the environment.
The recommendation emphasizes policy actions to realize an ethical AI framework, covering education, culture, labor, well-being, gender equality, and communication.
By aligning AI development with these universal principles and values, UNESCO aims to guide countries in harnessing AI responsibly.
Kenya’s Role in Shaping AI’s Future
Kenya’s government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, is at the forefront of organizing EARFAI.
Information, Communications and the Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Eliud Owalo has been on the forefront advocating for collaboration with other African countries in growing the digital sector.
“We have been doing our own initiatives at individual country level but we need to move forward in tandem as one united Africa digital economy,” said Owalo.
This push for collaboration highlights Kenya’s growing influence in the AI landscape, especially as AI technologies gain traction among the youth, who represent 70pc of Africa’s population.
AI’s rapid adoption in Africa, particularly in language and image models, presents both opportunities and challenges.
The forum will address critical questions about balancing AI’s transformative potential with the risks it poses.
This balanced approach is crucial as AI continues to open new possibilities in learning, working, innovation, and communication.
One of the pressing issues to be tackled at the forum is the digital divide and the cultural representation in AI systems.
Many AI technologies used in Africa are developed outside the continent, often utilizing data that does not reflect Africa’s rich cultural diversity, languages, and indigenous knowledge.
This lack of representation can lead to biases and reinforce existing inequalities.
As AI continues to reshape our world, the EARFAI forum represents a crucial step towards ethical and inclusive AI development in Eastern Africa.
