ECA restates commitment to support ethical artificial intelligence, innovation for development

Mr Antonio Pedro, Acting Executive Secretary for the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), has restated ECA’s continued support to harness ethical artificial intelligence and innovation for Africa’s development.

This is contained In a statement issued by the Communications Section of the ECA on Monday.

According to the statement, Pedro said this at the Pan-African Conference on Artificial Intelligence 2022.

The new science museum was inaugurated during the conference in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, according to the statement.

During the session, the need to continuously explore the contributions of artificial intelligence to Africa and the “kind of ethics we should follow” when using the technology was raised.

Pedro highlighted the different digital technology transformation projects supported by the ECA toward harnessing the full potential of emerging technologies and sustaining economic development in the continent.

In his remarks, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abiy Ahmed, described the science museum as a “demonstration of Ethiopia’s attention to science and technology”.

Ahmed cited Ethiopia’s Digital Economy Strategy, which started implementation two years ago, as a testimony to Ethiopia’s commitment to the sector.

He commended the Artificial Intelligence Institute as one of the governmental institutions undertaking initiatives to support the country’s digital transformation endeavour.

He further praised the institute’s promising potential to provide problem-solving research.

Ahmed also expressed the hope that the museum would encourage young people to think creatively and utilise the space as a “breeding ground for innovative ideas”.

According to the statement, the science museum is expected to further curate Ethiopia’s rich indigenous knowledge, science, and art alongside modern technological advancements.

UNECA is also committed to supporting the museum through bilateral cooperation in artificial intelligence research, products development and services delivery.

These would enhance and impact the health, education, agriculture, transport sectors as well as public protection and safety with artificial intelligence products and services.