Africa-Wide Push for Government Cooperation in Developing Artificial Intelligence Policies across the Continent
In a strategic move to strengthen Africa's role in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, Smart Africa unveiled the Model AI Policy Framework at the AI for Good Summit in Geneva. This comprehensive guide aims to help African nations develop their national AI strategies, particularly those that currently lack structured policies for AI development and deployment.
The Model AI Policy Framework is designed to be adaptable, allowing individual countries to tailor it to their unique contexts, economic priorities, and regulatory environments, while maintaining consistency with continental and international standards. It also encourages collaboration among African nations, enabling them to learn from each other's experiences and challenges instead of starting from scratch.
Major international organisations such as the World Bank, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and UNESCO have pledged to support the implementation of the framework, providing technical tools and resources to accelerate its adoption. The AI for Good Summit underscored the importance of Africa's active participation in shaping the global AI landscape, and the Model AI Policy Framework serves as a guiding tool for this endeavour.
Countries including Kenya, Algeria, and Ghana shared their experiences during the summit, highlighting the potential for Africa to leverage AI for social and economic development. A Community of Practice is planned to foster peer learning across the African continent in AI-related matters, promoting sustainable AI development and innovation.
This Community of Practice aims to reinforce Africa's role as a co-creator in the global AI ecosystem, emphasising the continent's commitment to shaping its own AI future. The AI for Good Summit served as a platform for Africa to showcase its active participation and involvement in global AI discussions, and a strategic push to strengthen African collaboration on AI governance was evident throughout the event.
The Model AI Policy Framework is aimed at African nations that do not yet have national AI strategies, and its introduction marks a significant step towards harmonising AI governance across the continent. The framework seeks to promote a unified approach that supports Africa's economic, scientific, and cultural sovereignty in the AI landscape.
Smart Africa gathered representatives from governments that make up 70% of African nations for the summit, demonstrating a strong commitment to AI governance from the African continent. The AI for Good Summit was a testament to Africa's commitment to taking an active role in the global AI discourse and shaping its future in this rapidly evolving field.
The Model AI Policy Framework, designed for African nations, promotes the use of technology and artificial-intelligence to strengthen continent's role in the global AI landscape, encouraging collaboration among African nations and fostering a unified approach towards AI development. International organizations have pledged support for the framework's implementation, recognizing its importance in shaping Africa's sustainable AI future and active participation in global AI discussions.
