AI in FCDO Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030

FCDO released a key strategy document for digital development or ICT4D. This is the FCDO Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030. What made me interested is the vision of using AI in this document and how FCDO sees AI playing an increasingly important role in international development. Here are the key aspects that I found in the document. ?

1.????? AI for Development

The strategy acknowledges the present and future impact of AI on society and emphasizes the need to address the opportunities and challenges associated with rapidly evolving or emerging technologies, including AI. It highlights the importance of AI for Development, aiming to build local capacity to develop and apply AI responsibly, particularly with an initial focus on Africa. This reflects the strong interest to leverage AI as a tool for addressing development challenges and advancing sustainable growth in partner countries.

2.????? Responsible AI Research and Regulation

The strategy aims to support at least 8 responsible AI research labs at African universities and to help at least 10 partner countries create sound regulatory frameworks for AI. This initiative demonstrates the strategy's focus on promoting responsible AI governance and mitigating the risks associated with AI deployment. By fostering responsible AI research and regulation, the strategy aims to ensure that AI is harnessed in a manner that aligns with ethical and equitable principles.

3.????? AI's Impact on Development:

The document highlights the potential of AI to contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and emphasizes the real potential of AI to bring the best science to neglected areas, accelerate drug discovery, and ultimately save lives. It also recognizes the need to promote safe, secure, responsible, and inclusive AI in development work, including in partnership with the private sector. This reflects the strategy's recognition of AI as a tool for advancing development and humanitarian efforts, particularly in critical areas such as healthcare, climate modeling, and access to clean energy.

4.????? Capacity Building and Gender Inclusion:

In addition to the regulatory framework and the labs, the strategy document emphasizes the importance of supporting women and girls to access the Internet, build their digital skills and digital businesses, and stay safe online. Though it is not very clear from the strategy how AI will be used or designed to address gender challenges, but there is a focus on developing local capacities in AI, promoting gender-inclusive AI initiatives, and ensuring that AI benefits all segments of society.

5.????? Monitoring and Adaptation:

The strategy acknowledges that the impact of AI will grow and change over the course of its implementation. It emphasizes the need to monitor new tools and models as they emerge and to adapt work to take advantage of their benefits and mitigate risks. This reflects the strategic interest of staying abreast of AI developments and ensuring that its initiatives align with the evolving landscape of AI technologies.

The FCDO Digital Development Strategy 2024-2030 recognizes AI as a transformative force with the potential to drive sustainable development, address societal challenges, and foster inclusive growth. The strategy aims to promote responsible AI research, regulation, and capacity building, while also emphasizing the need to ensure that AI benefits all segments of society and contributes to the achievement of development goals.

It is to be seen in the due course of time how these strategies work out for acclerating sustainable development of developing countries and how AI is used to deliver the impact at scale as the strategy predicted.