Forum on artificial intelligence in Africa

The revolution of the Artificial Intelligence technologies is disrupting societies and is going to shape our future. UNESCO, through its scientific expertise and humanitarian mandate intends to play an active role in contributing to a global reflection on the ethical and societal stakes of Artificial Intelligence. The prospective progress made must be at the service of all and contribute to International cooperation, sustainable development and peace. Africa is a global priority for UNESCO, and that is why the Organization decided to hold its very first important International forum on Artificial Intelligence in Africa, from 12 to 13 December 2018 in Morocco.

The Forum’s objective is to enrich the global reflection on artificial intelligence by drawing up a complete inventory of the situation and towards an assessment of an African scale, by taking into account challenges, opportunities and issues specific to local contexts. About 150 participants representing the Member States as well as high-level public and private sector partners participated to this event co-organized with the Polytechnic University Mohamed VI.

The expected results of this forum were based on four points:

The promotion of artificial intelligence as a lever for development in Africa
Encouragement of African regional cooperation and the promotion of an ethical framework for artificial intelligence in Africa;
The influence of national strategies to maximize the potential of AI in Africa
The establishment of an African Forum of associations of artificial intelligence in Africa.

OPENING CEREMONY

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO

Zohour Alaoui, President of the 39th session of the General Conference

Saaïd Amzazi, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Morocco

Outcome Statement of the Forum on Artificial Intelligence in Africa, BenguErir (Kingdom of Morocco), December 13, 2018

At the conclusion of the discussions, the participants unanimously adopted the Benguerir Declaration, agreeing on the need to promote AI as a lever for development that focuses on the human dimension and is rooted in human rights principles and standards. “Panellists encourage the African Union, regional economic communities, governments, academic institutions and professional associations, the private sector, civil society and international organizations to promote an equitable, rights-based, open and accessible to all and multi-stakeholder AI as an instrument for the empowerment of African peoples.”