and inclusive development, while Canada’s AI Strategy emphasises human-centric principles and the importance of diversity and inclusion in AI innovation (Pizzi, Romanoff, and Engelhardt 2020; Saheb 2024; World Health Organization 2024; Bhalla, Brooks, and Leach 2023). The principles of EU AI Act weight the advantages of AI innovation against possible concerns, assuring ethical and responsible deployment across the EU. It aims to advance the EU’s values and AI governance principles while also encouraging innovation and competitiveness in the global AI landscape. It balances risk and innovation, supporting AI technology development while minimising any risks associated with AI systems. The EU AI Act addresses both elements in the following ways (Parlamento Europeu 2024; Meltzer and Tielemans 2022; Friday and Act 2023) (i) Risk-Focused Approach, which prioritises high-risk AI systems that may jeopardise safety, basic rights, or social values. These high-risk systems must adhere to stricter criteria, which include detailed risk assessments, transparency obligations, human monitoring, and documentation/reporting requirements; the legislation prohibits some AI approaches that damage individuals or society. For example, it prohibits AI systems from manipulating human behaviour, exploiting vulnerabilities, participating in social scoring, or evading legal obligations; and stresses on the point that the high-risk AI systems require rigorous conformity evaluation to fulfil regulatory criteria. This includes risk assessments, mitigation techniques, certification, and ongoing compliance. Aspects which encourage trust and openness in AI systems by providing clear user information, explainable AI judgments, and accountability procedures for accidents or harm. The Act fosters responsible AI development that respects ethical principles, societal values, and fundamental rights; and promotes international cooperation and aligns AI regulations with partners globally. (ii) Innovation-Focused
The US Algorithmic Accountability Act (US AAA) of 2022 takes a risk-based strategy to address algorithm-related concerns and their societal consequences. It aims to balance the benefits and risks of automated decision systems (ADS) by requiring organizations to conduct impact evaluations before deployment and enhance decision-making procedures post-implementation (Mökander et al. 2022). Hence, the Act has created a governance architecture that holds bad actors responsible while empowering good players to show ethical, legal, and safe ADS. Collectively, these global efforts underscore the imperative of developing ethical frameworks that prioritise human values and rights in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. Additionally, the Governmentt of China make AI work for economic development, for welfare of humanity in line with ethics while ensuring safety, fairness, promoting robust standards and regulations to contain perceived social, political, and security and data protection or personal information protection risks (Lin et al. 2024). AcrossAfrica,variouscountrieshavemadestrides in developing ethical frameworks and principles to guide AI governance (Law 2023). While the approaches may vary, common themes include transparency, fairness, accountability, and human rights protection. Some countries have conducted extensive research and gathered data on ethical considerations related to AI, while others have formulated comprehensive strategies or policies to address the need and adoption of AI ethical policy (Dwi Hadya Jayani 2019)(Broadridge 2019). It is important to realize that recognized frameworks such as the EU AI Act might provide useful inspiration for African countries to benefit from getting insights and adopt some of the AI policies to fit African’s settings, values and needs. Therefore, the ultimate motive should be to adopt the existing legislation that supports responsible AI innovation, safeguard African societal and cultural interests, and contribute to long-term growth. However, African countries need to continue refining their ethical frameworks and policies in response to evolving technological landscapes and their peculiar societal needs. Collaboration between governments, industry stakeholders, civil society organisations, and academia is crucial to ensure that AI technologies are developed and deployed in a manner that aligns with ethical principles and fosters inclusive and sustainable development across the continent.
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Ethical Horizons - Mapping AI Policy in Africa May, 2024
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