Leveraging AI as a transformative tool for strategic and informed global partnerships
Digital development is an integral facet of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out in the 2030 Agenda. It serves as the underpinning for many of the objectives, from enhancing the quality of education (SDG 4) to fostering innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9). As our world becomes increasingly interconnected, the potential of digital solutions to transcend geographical and socio-economic barriers grows exponentially, offering unparalleled opportunities to tackle global challenges.
Within this digital frontier, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a pivotal force. AI's ability to analyse vast amounts of data, predict outcomes, and automate tasks can accelerate progress towards the SDGs. However, it's imperative that as we harness AI's potential, we also address concerns related to ethics, inclusivity, and governance. Integrating AI into the SDG framework not only bolsters our toolset for sustainable development but also ensures that its deployment is in harmony with global values and objectives.
Furthermore, the European Union’s AI act is expected to take effect in 2026. It introduces a risk-based regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence, categorising AI systems into various risk levels. This regulation bans high-risk applications like social scoring and certain biometric identifications, while imposing stringent regulations on high-risk AI systems used in critical sectors. This Act aims to balance innovation with safety and fundamental rights, which could set a global standard, similar to the influence of GDPR in data protection. Its focus on ethical and risk-based practices could encourage global partners to adopt similar standards, and potentially lead to increasingly unified international guidelines and cooperation in AI development and governance.
In this regard, Enabel, ESTDEV and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change are organising an event on the 22nd of February 2024, that will focus on both ‘inward-looking’ and ‘outward-looking’ change through the ethical use of AI. In doing so, the narrative centres around understanding how AI could be leveraged to revolutionize services both internally within these agencies and externally in the thematic cooperation with partner countries, with a particular focus on governance, education, and health sectors.
The one-day event, organized by Enabel in collaboration with ESTDEV and the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, has a dual objective. First, the event aims to explore the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing the efficacy and scope of international cooperation projects. Second, the event should contribute to identifying the broad lines of a potential new cooperation programme aimed at implementing the results of the abovementioned exploration with African partners.
As members of the Digital for Development (D4D) Hub and as Team Europe partners, Enabel and ESTDEV are working together on a variety of digital projects. Given that the D4D Hub contributes to encapsulate the Team Europe, the platform will be closely involved in the preparation and, more importantly, in the follow-up of the event.
Objectives
The event aims to enhance global agencies' understanding of AI's potential in international cooperation. This involves raising awareness, co-creating knowledge, and identifying the risks and opportunities associated with AI. The focus is on leveraging AI as a transformative tool for strategic and informed global partnerships.
A significant goal is to engage African and European stakeholders in shaping a new cooperation program. This program will support and govern AI use in sectors like governance, health, and education. Involving diverse regional stakeholders ensures a comprehensive and mutually beneficial approach to AI in international development.
Identifying key African and European actors in AI for development is another objective. The event will build a network of individuals and organizations leading AI applications in developmental contexts, fostering collaboration and sharing of best practices to enhance AI-driven development initiatives.
Addressing ethical considerations in AI use in developing countries is crucial. The event focuses on tackling AI biases, data protection, access to technology, and digital rights, ensuring AI deployment is equitable and doesn't exacerbate existing inequalities. Ethical frameworks and guidelines are a priority to guide AI use in vulnerable contexts.
Lastly, the event aims to map out AI technologies suitable for Africa, considering challenges like data limitations. Technologies such as machine learning, language processing, and computer vision will be explored for their suitability in development cooperation models, ensuring they meet the specific needs of the African context.
Participation
Participation in this event is by invitation-only. The key takeaways from the event will be published at a later date.