Artificial intelligence (AI) is driving digital transformation globally. It is potentially transformative, creating opportunities to contribute to the achievement of the global sustainable development goals by spurring innovations that tackle barriers to human development. However, the use of AI comes with risks that need to be managed and mitigated, including reinforcing inequalities and bias. As the adoption of AI technology across Africa gains momentum, we are witnessing growing, vibrant ecosystems of entrepreneurs, researchers and policymakers committed to bringing the benefits of AI technology to citizens in fields such as agriculture, education, energy, health, finance and beyond.

Under the theme “Advancing responsible and open AI ecosystems in Africa,” the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and Niyel are organizing the inaugural AfricAI Conference to provide a forum for exchange, learning and networking between key AI stakeholders and to strengthen the understanding of the potential and challenges related to responsible and open AI in Africa.

In its first edition, the AfricAI Conference 2023 will host about 150 participants from AI4D’s Africa program and GIZ’s FAIR Forward initiative, including consortia partners, African AI researchers and grantees, AI practitioners and policymakers. The event will be held on12-14 June 2023 in Kigali, Rwanda.

The conference aims to:

• Enable participants from Africa’s AI communities and ecosystems to share knowledge and best practices from diverse contexts and perspectives
• Provide a platform for exchange between research, public and private sector to build responsible and open AI ecosystems
• Create new alliances and opportunities for future collaboration