In a significant move to drive digital transformation across Africa, the executive council of the African Union (AU) has approved the Continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy and the African Digital Compact. This landmark decision aims to harness the power of digital technologies to accelerate development and address the continent’s unique challenges.
Speaking during the 45th Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council in Accra, Ghana, AU Commissioner for Infrastructure, Energy and Digitization Amani Abou-Zeid emphasized the importance of these strategies. “Our council yesterday approved the AU strategy for artificial intelligence and the strategy for using digital technologies, which will set the path for Africa’s use of digital technologies for development,” she said in an interview on Friday.
The adoption of these strategies marks a critical step toward creating an enabling environment for innovation and technological advancement across member states. Abou-Zeid highlighted that the strategies are designed to guide governments in developing the necessary policy and regulatory frameworks. “The strategies will help us create a single digital market and guide all sovereign countries on how to use digital technology to boost their development processes,” she explained.
A key focus of the strategies is to leverage technology to find solutions to Africa’s pressing challenges while safeguarding ethical considerations. “The technology must help us preserve our identity, preserve our languages and cultures, and be helpful rather than harm us,” Abou-Zeid stressed. She underscored the need for regulations to prevent the unethical use of AI and digital technologies, adding, “There must be rules and regulations to punish the negative use of AI and digital technologies to prevent further abuse.”
Currently, seven African countries have established AI policies. The AU aims to encourage all member states to develop their policies, fostering a unified approach to digital transformation across the continent. “The AU policy will guide the governments of various members to develop the necessary policy and regulatory frameworks for the sector,” Abou-Zeid noted.
The approval of the Continental AI Strategy and the African Digital Compact represents a significant milestone in Africa’s journey toward digital integration and innovation. By embracing these strategies, the AU seeks to position Africa as a competitive player in the global digital economy, harnessing technology to drive sustainable development and improve the lives of its people.
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African Union approves AI strategy, digital pact to propel continent
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