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AI for sustainable and inclusive futures
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Expertise France, AFD, and the European Commission are fostering dialogue on AI, innovation, and digital technology for development through a major day of debates, bringing together experts from over 20 countries to discuss the challenges and prospects of artificial intelligence worldwide.
On 26 March 2024, the Cyber Campus in La Défense hosted a day of discussions dedicated to artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for a sustainable and inclusive future. Organised by Expertise France, in collaboration with the Agence française de développement (AFD) and the European Union’s D4D Hub, the event brought together policymakers, researchers, as well as representatives from the private sector and start-ups from around the world. This initiative was part of the ongoing European efforts, following a similar gathering held in Brussels by Belgian development agency Enabel and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) in February 2024.
“AI is no longer an abstract concept — it is already here, reshaping the world by creating economic opportunities in sectors such as agriculture and construction. It brings benefits to citizens, businesses, and the public interest, but it can also amplify certain forms of discrimination and reinforce biases. The EU has adopted a human-centric approach to AI through the D4D Hub and maintains this focus when developing AI and defining its boundaries.”
- Director at the Directorate-General for International Partnerships of the European Commission
Participants took part in plenaries, workshops, and interactive sessions, fostering a shared understanding of the challenges related to AI for development and the search for concrete solutions. Lacina Koné, Director General of Smart Africa, notably highlighted the expectations of the African continent regarding AI, emphasizing job creation and the need for harmonized policies :
Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Expertise France and Smart Africa
The event also highlighted the importance of digital commons, open data, and open source as key elements to ensure equitable ownership of AI by local communities. Pyrou Chung, from the East West Management Institute, emphasised that open source is a vital tool for addressing inequality and promoting inclusion.
The day concluded with the announcement of a strategic partnership between Expertise France and Smart Africa through the creation of an AI Advisory Group. This initiative aims to promote ethical and inclusive AI, tailored to on-the-ground realities, and to strengthen the impact of local actors. Smart Africa thus becomes the first member of this initiative, which aspires to expand to other organizations across the Global South.
“In Africa, the goal is not to replace jobs, but to create them — and that is the role of AI. Africa needs harmonized policies at all levels: NGOs, civil society, and governments. We must rethink how digital transformations are implemented within government systems themselves, ensuring greater inclusion of national specificities, while maintaining continuity with the private sector to support sustainable AI. Smart Africa contributes to this challenge and to this ongoing dialogue.”
- Director General of Smart Africa
further reading
Artificial intelligence: accompanying partner countries towards an inclusive and sustainable future
Published on april 4 2024
“AI has the most benefit in the complex environment of developing economies”
Published on april 2 2024
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