Earlier the past week, I had the privilege of facilitating a consultation workshop supporting the UNDP Chief Digital Office, focused on designing the AI Hub for Sustainable Development in Africa. This event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government agencies, academia, private sector leaders, telecommunication service providers, and AI-driven startups, all united by the vision of leveraging #ArtificialIntelligence to advance #Ethiopia’s sustainable development goals.
The importance of building an inclusive and resilient AI ecosystem aligned with Ethiopia’s digital transformation ambitions and the #SDGs was highlighted by #UNDP and the Ethiopian AI Institute. Dr. Taye Girma, deputy director of the Ethiopian AI Institute provided an inspiring overview of their mission, emphasizing AI's potential to address Africa’s unique challenges through #PanAfrican collaboration and contextually tailored solutions.
Charles Lebon Mberi Kimpolo from the UNDP Digital Innovation Office presented a comprehensive overview of the AI Hub’s strategic direction. He articulated its mission to strengthen local, regional, and global partnerships, enhancing AI capacity across #Africa. His detailed roadmap highlighted the transformative power of collaborative efforts in driving sustainable AI innovation and development.
One of the workshop's standout moments was a closing remark by Solomon Kassa, who elevated the conversation from foundational AI applications to highlight cutting-edge opportunities. He passionately spoke Ethiopia’s progress in AI, including local innovations such as AI-driven solutions and advancements in natural language processing for Ethiopian languages. He emphasized that AI sovereignty extends beyond technological capability, it is about self-reliance, resilience, and a shared continental vision for Africa. He championed #PanAfricanism, stressing the need to dismantle political, geographical, and bureaucratic barriers to establish a collaborative AI-driven ecosystem.
The workshop served as a powerful reminder of AI’s transformative potential to address development challenges. By convening voices from various sectors, we moved closer to a collective vision: building resilient, inclusive, and innovative AI solutions tailored to Ethiopia’s development needs.
Special thanks to Yidnekachew Gebretsadik for showcasing their AI-driven solutions, which inspired further dialogue and illustrated the profound impact of homegrown innovation.
#DigitalTransformation #AIForGood #SustainableDevelopment #Collaboration #TechForGood #AICommunity #AfricaTech #DigitalInnovation
Read the full interview here: https://www.itnewsafrica.com/2024/09/langa-dube-talks-innovative-solutions-in-exclusive-interview/