SAN FRANCISCO, November 19, 2024 -/African Media Agency (AMA)/- This week, the main development agency of the United Nations (UNDP) and the Italian presidency of the G7, accompanied by a delegation of private sector leaders from the African continent , meet the leaders of the G7 AI in San Francisco, at the invitation of the Consul General of Italy in San Francisco with the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy (MMIT), InnoVit and CDP. With the UNDP delegation led by Robert Opp, UNDP Digital Director, and that of Italy led by Fausta Bergamotto, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy, the objective is clear: we We must bend the arc of AI collectively for the benefit of Africa‘s sustainable development.
The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is co-led by UNDP and MMIT (Italy). In line with the G7 Heads of State and Government Declaration, the Hub aims to create innovative partnerships, solutions and investments between the G7 and the African private sector to transform energy, agriculture, health , water, education and training, as well as infrastructure in Africa.
This international conference focused on four key areas of development opportunities: 1) inclusive and representative datasets, including in low-resource languages, 2) developing local AI talent across Africa in countries, 3) green, accessible and affordable IT infrastructure, and 4) enabling environments for responsible adoption of AI.
In 1945, when the United Nations Charter was drafted in San Francisco, history gave birth to the United Nations. Today, this international conference lays the foundations for anchoring sustainable development at the heart of the private AI sector, both globally and in Africa. It aims to collectively go beyond goodwill and commitments to establish effective and scalable partnerships with the private sector, with a view to industrial growth based on AI, in which Africa will be a full partner for the years to come.
Officials from the Italian government, UNDP and the Silicon Valley investment community commented on the importance of the special event of the Italian G7 Presidency:
Vincenzo Del Monaco, Minister Plenipotentiary at the Ministry of Business and Made in Italy and co-chair of the G7 working group on digital and technology:
“In the spirit of the Mattei Italy-Africa plan, we must ensure that AI is an opportunity for equal partnership with Africa. The AI Hub is a space for collective action where the G7 and African industry play a central role.
Keyzom Massally, Head of Digital and AI Programs, UNDP:
“Sustainable development faces multidimensional crises of confidence and innovations that do not place humans at the center of artificial intelligence. Building on G7 countries’ AI commitments, we must come together in shared spaces to understand, learn and co-create, and move beyond the status quo in global AI development. This is the objective of the Artificial Intelligence Hub for Sustainable Development. Coming to San Francisco with African private sector leaders proves that we must go beyond dialogue and impact people for large-scale development.”
Ali Diallo, CEO and founder of Aurion Capital:
“With Aurion Capital, we are raising capital to invest in AI-enabled companies that support rural and emerging economies. At the same time, we educate local stakeholders on how to attract the right types of investments in the form of public, private and institutional capital to solve challenges in key sectors such as healthcare and energy. Our funds are committed to supporting startups and innovation-driven companies that are building transformational digital solutions that strengthen the footprint of America and its allies on the global stage. Investing in critical digital infrastructure in an ever-changing geopolitical landscape requires strong collaborations among all stakeholders. As a result, we are seeing significant interest from U.S. investors and businesses to build stronger bridges between rural America and markets
international countries such as Italy and Africa. This is enabled through partnerships with local entrepreneurs and government agencies to ensure long-term growth and sustainability.”
Notable African leaders working at the national level for development at the international conference include: Tonee Ndungu, founder of Kytabu; Alex Tsado, founder and CEO of Ahura AI; Houda Ghozzi, CEO of Open Startup International; Daniel Boateng, Venture Talent Specialist, The Future List; and Sam Yala, President of the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS).
Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) for Aurion Capital.
About the international conference: Growing Together – Innovitsf
About UNDP: https://www.undp.org/en/about-us
About the Artificial Intelligence Center for Sustainable Development: https://www.aihubfordevelopment.org/about
About Aurion Capital:
Source : African Media Agency (AMA)
2024-11-19 15:40:00
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What are the key objectives of the recent UNDP conference on AI and sustainable development in Africa?
**Interview with Keyzom Massally, Head of Digital and AI Programs, UNDP**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Keyzom. This week, the UNDP and the Italian Presidency of the G7 hosted an important conference in San Francisco focused on AI and sustainable development. Could you tell us what the key objectives of this gathering were?
**Keyzom Massally:** Absolutely. The primary goal was to foster innovative partnerships between G7 countries and African private sector leaders to harness AI for sustainable development across various sectors. We focused on essential areas like creating inclusive datasets, developing local AI talent in Africa, and establishing accessible IT infrastructure. Our intention is to ensure that AI technologies benefit the continent while addressing its unique challenges.
**Editor:** It sounds like a significant step toward collaboration. How do you envision AI playing a role in transforming sectors like healthcare and agriculture in Africa?
**Keyzom Massally:** AI has enormous potential to reshape crucial sectors by optimizing processes and enhancing service delivery. In healthcare, for instance, AI can improve diagnostics and patient management systems, making healthcare more effective and accessible. In agriculture, AI can help optimize crop yields through precision farming techniques. The key is to ensure that these technologies are tailored to the local context and needs of African communities.
**Editor:** You mentioned the importance of going beyond dialogue and making a real impact. How can you ensure that the initiatives discussed will translate into tangible benefits for African nations?
**Keyzom Massally:** That’s crucial. We need to move from intentions to action. The Artificial Intelligence Hub for Sustainable Development will play a pivotal role in this. By creating platforms for collaboration, sharing resources, and integrating local insights, we aim to implement scalable solutions that can directly benefit the communities involved. Our approach is not just about technology; it’s about empowering people and fostering a shared vision for growth.
**Editor:** What is the role of African leaders and entrepreneurs in this initiative?
**Keyzom Massally:** African leaders and entrepreneurs are at the heart of our efforts. Their insights, experiences, and innovations are vital in tailoring AI solutions that resonate with local realities. By involving them actively, we can ensure that the technologies we develop are not only beneficial but also sustainable and culturally relevant. This is truly a partnership where every voice matters.
**Editor:** Thank you, Keyzom, for sharing your insights. It’s clear that this conference has set an important precedent for AI and sustainable development in Africa.
**Keyzom Massally:** Thank you for having me! It’s an exciting time to be involved in this space, and I’m optimistic about the partnerships we’re building for the future.
