Dear Partners, 3rd Session: Consultations on the AU/AI Continental Strategy Theme: AI Ecosystem and Capabilities for Harnessing the Potential of AI in Africa Date and Time: Tuesday, April 23 2024 (3:00 - 4:45 PM East African Time) Zoom link : https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJcpdeurpzIvGNHA9JjTWoVzO8mbNZTuHWoX Moderator: Mr. Amr Safwat Chair of the AU Working Group on AI Panellists: * Ms. Gabriela Ramos, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences, * Prof. Joyce Nabende, Head, Makerere Artificial Intelligence Lab, Uganda * Prof. Jerry Kponyo, Associate Professor of Telecommunication Engineering, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. * Mr. Eric Ndoumba, Senior Adviser, Minister of ICT of Republic of Congo * Ms Balkissa Ide Siddo, Public Policy Director for Sub-Saharan Africa: META, Core Questions * What steps should Member States take to build the capacities of higher education to teach, research and innovate on AI and address the skills gap? * What will the private sector's role be in AI R&D and innovation? What lessons can we learn from the existing AI startup ecosystem? * How can the basic education and TVET curriculum be improved to prepare the youth for AI? * What strategies should be implemented to improve African infrastructure for AI (broadband networks, data centres, high-performance computers, etc.)? * How can AU Member States improve the availability of AI-related data? Lydia Gachungi Regional Adviser on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists Addis Ababa Liaison Office to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa/ National Office for Ethiopia. Niger Building, 1st Floor (ECA Compound) PO Box 1177 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Office Tel: +251 115443786 Mobile No: +251 945505333/ + 254722803724 Email:.l.gachungi@unesco.org https://en.unesco.org/fieldoffice/addisababa/ @LGachungi / @UNESCO_Addis [A blue and white logo Description automatically generated with low confidence]
