Please sign in at the registration desk, collect your name tag and conference materials, and proceed to the main auditorium.

Opening remarks will be given by the following representatives of Strathmore University:

1. Dr. Melissa Omino, Director, CIPIT
2. Prof. Izael Da Silva, Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC), Research and Innovation, Strathmore University

Data is essential in innovating AI products. It is also a product of AI utilization. Many of the privacy sensitive tools in use today - search algorithms, recommendation engines, and AdTech networks - utilize Machine Learning and decisions by AI algorithms. There is concern that AI will exacerbate privacy concerns around personal information. Along with privacy, concerns over surveillance, with increased use of AI enabled tools, are also on the rise. In this panel experts from across Africa will discuss the role data plays in AI innovation; concerns over data misuse and exploitation and possible mitigation measures, and the impact AI may have on surveillance.

Moderator:

Naima Rajab, Nubian Rights Forum

Panelists:

John Walubengo, Data Privacy and Governance Society Kenya

Mariam Jamal, Haki Na Sheria (Data Privacy and Governance Society Kenya)

Wambui Nyambura, Data Privacy and Governance Society Kenya

Diana Nyakundi, Ideate Tech Policy Africa/ Research ICT Africa

Panel Session 2 - AI and Innovation: Infrastructure, capacity, and data Artificial Intelligence has been touted as an important tool in attaining national Sustainable Development Goals. AI applications have the capability to transform critical economic sectors and transform economies and livelihoods. However, studies show that developed countries are set to make the most gains while nations in the Global South are left behind. What then is required for Africa to emerge as an important player in the global AI ecosystem? In this panel, experts from across Africa will discuss what is needed to fuel AI innovation on the continent, i.e., infrastructure, capacity, and data issues that must be considered.

Moderator:

Arthur Gwagwa, Digital Rights and Global Security Expert, Doctoral Research, Utrecht University

Panelists:

Dr. John Olukuru, iLabAfrica

Dr. Deogratias Mzurikwao, Villgro Africa

Ernest Mwebaze, Sunbird AI

Britone Mwasaru, Mozilla

UN Global Pulse is the Secretary-General’s Innovation Lab that supports the UN’s Common Agenda for global cooperation using responsible and inclusive innovation. UNGP teams are spread worldwide, with hubs in Uganda, Indonesia, Finland and the United States. In Uganda, UNGP combines traditional data sources with new technologies to gain greater insight into how to better serve governments and the UN on the African continent.

UN Pulse Lab Kampala will give a 90-minute presentation on the ways in which the organization has leveraged AI to develop solutions that have supported its interventions and work in building an enabling environment for the use of AI and other data-driven solutions in Uganda.

UN Pulse Lab Kampala will give a 90-minute presentation on the ways in which the organization has leveraged AI to develop solutions that have supported its interventions and work in building an enabling environment for the use of AI and other data-driven solutions in Uganda.

Download Presentation Slides here UNGP @ COSAA.pdf

Presenters:

Morine Amutorine

Pius Mugagga

Dr. Martin Mubangizi

Africa offers unique opportunities and challenges in the development and utilization of AI technology. To ensure that AI benefits the continent then it must be developed with local national priorities at the forefront. Local infrastructure, capacity, and skills must be considered in AI development and adoption. AI’s potential to widen existing inequalities must also be addressed and appropriate measures against that outcome put in place. In this session, researchers from CIPIT’s Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) Policy Center will guide conversation around this topic and answer the audiences’ burning questions on all relevant issues of AI in Africa.

Moderator:

Grace Mutungu, OSF

Panelists:

Florence Ogonjo, CIPIT

Rachel Achieng Odhiambo, CIPIT

Joshua Kitili, CIPIT

Natasha Karanja, CIPIT

Please sign in at the registration desk, collect your name tag and conference materials, and proceed to the main auditorium.

Opening remarks will be given by Kathryn Toure, PhD, IDRC Regional Director, Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office

Artificial Intelligence technologies have the potential to solve some of Africa’s most pressing problems. Policy-makers, innovative startups, global technology partners, civil society groups, and local and international global stakeholders are already mobilizing AI to tackle some of the challenges on the continent. There remains, however, challenges that hamper utilization of AI in Africa. In this panel, experts from across Africa discuss how AI can be leveraged in Africa; current applications of AI enabled technology; challenges to AI development and adoption, and possible solutions to these challenges.

Moderator:

Alfred Ongere

Panelists:

Dr. Oladipupo Sennaike, University of Lagos; Hub for Responsible AI for Education Innovation Research Network in Africa (EduAI Hub)

Mutembi Kariuki, Fastagger

Timothy Kinyanjui, ABSA Bank

Leonida Mutuku, Local Development Research Institute

Rose Delilah Gesicho, Zindi

Barbara Akello, Safaricom

In this 60-minute session, 4 Research Scientists will give 15 - minute presentations on the exciting research they are conducting in AI. These projects will cover the development, regulation, and practical applications of AI. The following papers will be presented in the session:

1. Joy Wanjiku and Taria Khaoma, “How Can We Regulate Artificial Intelligence in Africa in the Face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution? “
2. Nguvu Kamando, Edith Michael Mtweve, and Edson Stanley,” The Role of Data in AI Innovation and Research.”
3. Edgar Odongo Ochieng, “Towards Ethical AI: Perspectives for Kenya and Africa.”
4. Erick Ochieng Otieno, “Assessing the State of Responsible Artificial Intelligence Policies and Regulations in Africa.”

AI is a double-edged sword. While it can be leveraged to improve economic outlooks and livelihoods, it can also widen existing inequalities. To prevent AI from disenfranchising groups of people, especially those from vulnerable communities, it is critical that a human - centered approach is employed in the development, adoption, and regulation of AI technologies. In this panel session, experts from across Africa will tackle questions around Responsible AI and Ethical AI contextualized to the African continent. What is Responsible AI? What is Ethical AI? Do these concepts make sense for Africa? In what ways can we modify or improve them to better reflect Africa’s unique social, cultural and economic landscape? How can the principles of Responsible and Ethical AI be used to create an equitable AI ecosystem in Africa?

Moderator:

Betsy Muriithi, iLabAfrica

Panelists:

Dr Angeline Wairegi, AI Lead and Research Manager, CIPIT

Dr Scott Timcke, RIA

Karen Bett, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data

Dr. Ololade Shyllon, Facebook, Head of Privacy