Organised on 12 and 13 September 2023 in Dakar by Gaind\u00e9 2000, the \u00abRentr\u00e9e Num\u00e9rique\u00bb aimed to provide public and private sector stakeholders and technical partners with a forum for discussion, policy formulation and mobilisation around key digital challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Laure Tall, Director of Research at IPAR, took part in this roundtable discussion focusing on the theme \u00abArtificial intelligence: opportunities and threats to economies, businesses and society \u2013 what approach should we take?\u00bb. Speaking on the panel \u00abAI and Society\u00bb (How will AI shape our daily lives? What are the social challenges associated with its development?\u00ab), Dr Tall, when asked about the meaning of \u00bbbetter AI\u2018, stated that \u00abbetter AI\u00bb is \u00abinclusive\u00bb, \u00abresponsible\u00bb and \u00abcapable of producing sustainable solutions\u00bb. She also emphasised the importance of incorporating a gender perspective into the responsible use of AI in order to reduce the digital divide between men and women. Citing UN data which highlights that women account for two-thirds of the 796 million illiterate people and of the 2.9 billion people without internet access \u2013 the majority of whom are women \u2013 worldwide, Dr Tall argues that \u201cthis section of the global population should not be left behind\u201d. In the same vein, she believes that the inclusive and responsible use of AI would help bridge this gap and provide solutions to the various inequalities observed across different segments of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In her presentation, the IPAR\u2019s research director was keen to emphasise the importance of data because, in her view, the digital divide has implications for the use of AI, which is perceived as being \u00abdata-intensive\u00bb \u2013 most of which, moreover, comes from elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also pointed out that education \u2013 particularly access to infrastructure, etc. \u2013 helps to improve access to this new technology. \u00abInvesting in AI education enables its more effective use in Africa,\u00bb she said. Finally, she called for action to tackle the challenges surrounding investment, which depend on the political will of decision-makers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It should be noted that the \u2018AI and Society\u2019 panel included, in addition to Dr Tall, Mr Abdallah Ciss\u00e9, a digital expert, and Dr Alex Louis Gabriel Corenthin, a lecturer, researcher and computer scientist; Dr Isaac Sissokho, an expert in the regulation of digital markets and in telecommunications strategy and development; Professor Sylvain Landry Faye, a full professor of sociology and health anthropology; Mr J\u00e9r\u00f4me Riberio, Deputy Chair of the EuropIA Institute; Mr Amadou Amath Ndiaye, founder of Oubii Digital; Ms Aissatou Djiba Diallo, Senior Fintech Advisor at Ecobank Transnational; and Mr Talla Ndiaye, Director of the Just Digital Transformation Programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Topics such as \u2018AI and Organisation\u2019 and \u2019AI and the Economy\u2019 were also discussed during this digital start to the academic year.<\/p>\n