ABSTRACT
The next three years will be critical in Africa’s response to AI. The African Observatory on Responsible AI (AORAI) seeks to position the African continent as a leading voice in global debates and policymaking in responsible AI. AORAI will accomplish this by collaborating with local and global thematic partners across Sub-Saharan Africa to deepen understanding of AI and its effects in Africa; promote the development and implementation of locally appropriate evidence-led AI policies and enabling legislation; and to strengthen the capacity of researchers across the continent in understanding the effects of AI and influencing responsible AI policymaking. AORAI will publish thematic state of AI in Africa research reports which will offer insight into the immediate concerns, risks and benefits, and the longer-term implications of AI in diverse African societies. The thematic research priorities of the AORAI are: (1) the impacts of AI on race, gender and ethnicity; (2) the impacts of AI on democracy, and particularly elections; and (3) enabling legislation for public integrity and corporate accountability in relation to AI on a national and regional level.
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR:
- Alison Gillwald
GENERAL OBJECTIVE:
Advance policies and practices that supports diverse African societies to safely and fairly (responsibly) harness the benefits of AI in realization of the continent’s development goals
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:
- Deepen understanding of AI and its effects in Africa
- Promote the development and implementation of locally appropriate evidence-led AI policies and enabling legislation
- Strengthen the capacity of researchers across the continent in understanding the effects of AI and influencing responsible AI policymaking