Background

The unprecedented speed and reach of Artificial Intelligence have sparked international debates and caused both excitement and alarm, and raising important questions about the impact of this revolutionary technology on economies and societies.

Artificial Intelligence is already becoming a reality with an increasing number of industries and government institutions integrating this technology and an increasing number of users of AI applications are recorded every day. Thefore the huge impact of AI is such that societal, scientific, educational, cultural, legal and regulatory elements should be equally considered by all stakeholders when developing or implementing AI systems including by private sector and tech industry.

It’s within this context, the 44 ^Th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council endorsed the Conceptual framework and tasked the AU Commission to expedite the development of a Continental AI Strategy that is comprehensive, forward-looking and action-oriented to effectively harness the potential of AI potential to transform the continent in line with the AU Agenda 2063 goals, while managing associated risks and harms.

Against this background, the AU Commission established and operationalized a Working Group on AI composed of AU Member States and Pan-African Organizations to support and guide the development of   a continental approach and strategy on AI that responds to Africa’s context, address its needs and position the continent as an active player at global level.

If designed and adopted appropriately, AI-enabled solutions and systems offer huge opportunities for advancing inclusive development and social prosperity in Africa. For AI to support Africa’s developmental agendas, it must be ethical, trustworthy, safe and inclusive, aligned with the culture and aspirations of the African people.

The Continental AI Strategy for Africa will set out how the potential benefits of AI for African social and economic development can be harnessed and the legal and regulatory safeguards needed to protect users and societies at large. Building on the AU AI Conceptual Framework, the Strategy will place emphasis on building the capabilities of AU Member States in AI skills, research and development, data availability, infrastructure, governance and private sector-led innovation, as well as ensuring regional and international cooperation and coordination on this fast-moving and disruptive technology. 

The cross cutting and strategic nature of AI requires multi-sectorial and multi stakeholders’ approach and the AU Commission aims to develop the strategy through consultative and participatory process. Consultations with wider stakeholders are crucial for developing an inclusive AI strategy that serves the needs of African people and societies across the Continent.

Objectives of the Online Multistakeholder Consultations

In order to facilitate wide engagement and contribution into the Continental AI Strategy, the AUC will host a series of online consultations open to all stakeholders during April 2024. The consultations seek to:

• Facilitate inputs into the draft AU AI Strategy,
• Identify key strategic elements of the AU AI Strategy,
• Broaden understanding of African AI needs from various stakeholders, and 
• Deepen awareness of the risks of AI use and development in Africa.

The Consultations will be organised around four major themes, namely:

1. Seizing AI opportunities for Social, Economic and Cultural Development in Africa

2. Addressing and Mitigating AI Risks to Africa

3. Creating Foundations and Capabilities for Harnessing the Potential of AI and Mitigating its Risks to Africa

4. Fostering Intra-Africa coordination and Shaping International Cooperation on AI

These topics overlap and are interrelated. However, focusing on benefits, risks, capabilities, and cooperation is assumed to provide a better approach for gathering input from a wider range of stakeholders interested in different AI topics.

In addition, the stakeholders will be able to provide written input for each theme through the following online forms:

The deadline for submission of all online forms with inputs and contributions is 25^th April.

Consultation Format

The open multistakeholder consultations will take place online from 19 to 24 April 2024. Each of the above themes will begin with a five-minute introduction to the topic by a moderator, followed by reflections by three to four panellists. The thirty-minute panel discussion will be followed by a one-hour stakeholders' Q&A and reflection session. The last ten minutes will be used for consolidation and closing.