historical legacies, and socio-economic disparities prevalent across the continent which include; cultural sensitivity, inclusive and equity, data sovereignty and privacy, and computational growth to mention a few. African countries need to think strategically about what AI and innovation means for the continent and develop policies that encourage capacity building, and provide adequate infrastructure, collaboration, and data collection avenues that reflect the African nature for its sustainable social economic development and transformation. 5.2 Recommendations The adoption and implementation of AI ethical policy in both Africa and other developed countries could prove to be a reliable force to enhance social economic development. It has the potential to promote excellence and compliance to the AI ethical conduct that guide in the adoption, development, and use of AI for social economic development of Africa and the world at large. This study highlights the following strategies or recommendations (R) that can be used to promote and leverage the adoption, use, and application of Ethical AI in the African AI innovation ecosystem. R1: Prioritise a pan African approach to Ethical AI rule -making. Collaboration is key in the formulation of policies, ensuring that there is harmonization, inclusivity and international best practices infused therein. A coordination mechanism for AI policy at African Union level should be established and similarly, peer to peer exchanges and benchmarking mechanisms are to be instituted at various levels. R2: Revisit and strengthen data governance. AI systems rely on available data sets, so it is critical to create data governance guidelines that advocate for the establishment of AI-ready data users especially in the AI innovation ecosystem. R3: Common Computing Infrastructure to host, process and use data, thus cultivating a culture to foster the development of data lakes, enabling data analytics and machine learning.
R4: Strengthen Multi Stakeholder driven policy initiatives for AI governance at the national level; (ii) Foster legal and regulatory frameworks for AI governance (iii) Enhance capacities among public administrations, judiciary and parliamentarians for AI governance and use, and (iv) facilitate cooperation between countries around some of the common priorities like personal data protection and data governance, leveraging AI for economic growth, development and digital transformation, updating education, skills and training systems, supporting AI research and development. African countries should define and consolidate an African way that is transpiring from initial Ethical AI policy making. This will allow Africa to offer a model and to compete on the global AI geopolitical complex and contribute to promote economic development. R5: Transparency and accountability should be the foundational principles for effective public-private governance in digital economies. Governments and businesses must demonstrate transparency in their decision-making processes, policies, and practices, providing stakeholders with visibility into how digital systems operate and how data is managed. By fostering transparency and accountability, stakeholders can build trust and confidence in digital platforms and services. R6: stakeholder engagement are essential for ensuring that the benefits of digital transformation are equitably distributed and that the voices of all stakeholders are heard. Governments, businesses, civil society organisations, and communities must collaborate to co-create solutions that address the diverse needs and concerns of society. By fostering inclusivity and stakeholder engagement, stakeholders can build consensus, promote social cohesion, and enhance trust in digital initiatives. Inclusivity and R7: Public-private governance in digital economies must be responsive to societal needs and concerns, prioritising the interests of citizens, consumers, and communities. Governments and businesses must proactively engage
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Ethical Horizons - Mapping AI Policy in Africa May, 2024
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