UNESCO launches Artificial Intelligence capacity building needs assessment survey for Africa region

Advancing the agenda for addressing the human and institutional capacity gaps for the development and use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa, as underlined by the Member States at the Forum on AI in Africa at Benguérir, Morocco, UNESCO has kicked off a survey to assess AI related capacity building needs of Member States in Africa.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a major technological innovation that will shape the future of our societies. However, it is also revolution, which will blur the boundaries between the physical, digital and human spheres, bringing new opportunities and challenges to governments. As a result, governments across the world are initiating policy measures to guide their countries through the digital transformations underway.

Due to its interdisciplinary vocation, its mandate in the ethics of science, and its humanistic values, UNESCO is the ideal venue to discuss AI and its impact on the future of humanity.

As part of UNESCO’s global priority Africa, the AI Capacity Building Needs Assessment survey has been designed within the framework of the ‘United Nations system-wide strategic approach and road map for supporting capacity development on artificial intelligence’. It is based on the African Union Agenda 2063 priorities as discussed in the UNESCO report ‘Steering AI and Advanced ICTs for Knowledge Societies’.

The survey would help UNESCO understand national priorities, the current stages of national AI policy development and human and institutional capacity gaps that need to be addressed for Member States to respond to the challenges and opportunities of AI for sustainable development.