Morocco forum analyses Artificial Intelligence
A Forum on Artificial
Intelligence in Africa, organized by UNESCO and Mohamed VI Polytechnic
University from 12 to 13 December in Benguérir (Morocco), will explore the
opportunities and challenges of technological innovations relating to
artificial intelligence (AI) in Africa.
AI is already present on the
continent through incubators for technological innovation and, for example,
applications that provide school support via smartphones or monitor the
breathing of newborns in maternity wards.
Most of the African continent has
mobile network coverage, despite significant disparities between countries, and
the high rate of smartphone penetration has been followed by the development of
many applications that facilitate everyday life be it with regard to health,
education, culture or the environment.
But initiatives are still limited
and, as everywhere else, they raise important ethical questions concerning the
use of private data, freedom of expression and responsibility. Likewise, the
societal impact of technologies that can replace human labour is an issue yet
to be addressed.
These subjects will be at the
heart of the two-day forum organized with the support of Microsoft. The
conference will be opened by Said Amzazi, Morocco’s education minister, UNESCO
Director-General Audrey Azoulay, and the President of the General Conference of
UNESCO, Zohour Alaoui. It will bring together ministers, representatives of the
private sector, experts, researchers and representatives of international and
regional organizations, as well as NGOs and civil society actors from all parts
of the world.
Through round tables and thematic
sessions, the conference will examine ways in which artificial intelligence can
serve as a lever for development, the future of AI in Africa and ethical issues
for the continent.
Part of UNESCO's ongoing
reflection on AI, the Benguérir Forum is expected to enrich discussions ahead
of the international conference on artificial intelligence that UNESCO is
organizing for March next year.
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