In issue 16 of the journal:
focused on
IPAR’s contribution to the analysis of the political, legal, institutional and ethical frameworks for responsible AI in West Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal)
16 | 2024
Artificial intelligence: A catalyst for sustainable development in Africa
Part One: Ethics and Public Policy
Published in issue 16 of the journal « Communication, technology and development » centred on the theme « »Artificial Intelligence: A Catalyst for Sustainable Development in Africa’, This paper highlights the strategic role that Artificial Intelligence (AI) could play in Africa’s development, with the potential to improve services, drive economic transformation and address socio-economic challenges. However, its roll-out raises challenges relating to human rights, data protection, ethics and local specificities.
The current political, legal, institutional and ethical frameworks remain inadequate to address the challenges posed by AI in West Africa. Regional harmonisation and the development of specific approaches, based on local contexts, are essential to maximise the opportunities offered by AI whilst minimising its risks.
This study aims to assess existing frameworks and put forward recommendations for responsible AI in the four target countries.
Using four West African countries as examples, the article describes the roll-out of AI as being characterised by disparities, particularly at the political level. Indeed, Benin is described as the only one of the four countries to have adopted a national AI strategy (2023–2027), targeting key sectors such as health, education and agriculture, whilst the other countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire and Senegal) mention AI in their digital strategies, but without a specific framework.
The authors recommend regional collaboration through ECOWAS to harmonise national strategies and promote a regional approach to AI.
With regard to the legal framework, the authors point out that legislation in all four countries takes account of the protection of personal data. However, these laws require adjustments to address the specific challenges posed by AI.
Benin and Burkina Faso stand out for having laws that explicitly incorporate provisions on AI, particularly regarding automated decision-making. The Malabo Convention and the ECOWAS guidelines provide a basis for harmonising legal frameworks, but their adoption and implementation remain limited.
At an institutional level, the lack of specific structures dedicated to AI limits coordination between public, private and academic stakeholders.
Ministries responsible for ICT and national data protection agencies are the main existing bodies, but they do not fully cover the issues relating to AI.
It is recommended that a National Commission on AI be established to coordinate initiatives, foster collaboration and manage resources.
From an ethical perspective, the principles defined by UNESCO (transparency, inclusion, non-discrimination, safety) serve as a benchmark for the development of appropriate frameworks. ECOWAS and its member states are encouraged to draw up ethical guidelines tailored to the African context, building on local values and standards.
Specific challenges and recommendations
The challenges involved in ensuring the appropriate deployment of AI relate primarily to the protection of personal data. In this regard, it is important to ensure that data is managed in an ethical and secure manner in a context of large-scale data collection by AI.
With regard to cybersecurity, it is recommended that legislative frameworks be strengthened to address the vulnerabilities associated with AI systems.
With regard to open government data, it is recommended that regulations be developed to promote fair and secure access to public data.
Other recommendations include, amongst others:
- Develop national and regional strategies specifically for AI, drawing on international best practice;
- Strengthen data protection laws and harmonise regulatory frameworks through ECOWAS;
- Set up dedicated AI units to coordinate actions and engage stakeholders;
- Establish ethics committees and risk assessment tools to ensure the responsible use of AI.
- ECOWAS must play a central role in establishing a unified framework for AI in West Africa.
Link to the full article: https://journals.openedition.org/ctd/12418
Authors: Laure Tall, Mamadou Niang, Fatou Fofana, Cheikh Faye, Marame Cissé, Ndèye Fatou Mboup, Isac Mingou, Tabara Korka Ndiaye and Seynabou Sall from the IPAR Think Tank
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