The first African high-level forum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) concluded on Wednesday in Sale, northwestern Morocco, with a significant milestone- adopting the ‘Rabat Consensus’. This consensus, a comprehensive framework for AI application in Africa, holds the potential to shape the future of AI development on the continent.
The ‘AI Technology: A Lever for Development in Africa’ forum, a joint initiative by the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University of Morocco and UNESCO, was a truly global event. It brought together representatives from about 30 countries and regions, including 15 African nations, showcasing the widespread interest in AI technology’s current status and future prospects in Africa.
Delegates at the forum underscored the urgency of Africa’s need to embrace AI. They highlighted AI’s potential in promoting educational equity, preserving local cultures, and advancing the rights of African women. The forum also called for Africa to unite and amplify its voice in the global governance of AI technology, emphasizing the continent’s readiness to take on this transformative technology.
The “Rabat Consensus” outlines several critical objectives for AI in Africa:
- Developing a global and inclusive framework for AI governance.
- Promoting the use of AI in the public sector to serve Africa’s collective interests.
- Ensuring AI development adheres to ethical and human rights standards, benefiting everyone.
Notable attendees included UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information Tawfik Jelassi, Moroccan King Advisor Andre Azoulay, and Moroccan Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication Mohamed Mehdi BenSaid.
This landmark event marks a significant step forward for AI in Africa, setting the stage for ethical, equitable, and inclusive AI advancements across the continent.
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