Dear Partners,

3^rd 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)

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

@LGachungi / @UNESCO_Addis