After six months of negotiations, 193 member states of the United Nations have agreed to establish a Scientific Panel on AI and a Global AI Dialogue. Research ICT Africa is proud to have contributed to this groundbreaking process through our extensive engagement with several UN bodies on AI governance.
Throughout this historic process, Research ICT Africa has been actively shaping the discourse around inclusive AI governance. Our submissions to the UN Secretary-General’s AI Advisory Body and the Global Digital Compact have consistently advocated for frameworks that center Global South perspectives and lobby for an AI ethics of economic justice redress that can fully address the unique challenges facing African countries in the AI era.
These two seminal institutions will be mutually reinforcing. The Independent Scientific Panel on AI will focus on providing evidence-based assessments synthesising research on AI’s opportunities, risks, and impacts, while the Global Dialogue on AI Governance will offer a platform for stakeholders to enhance international cooperation in this realm.
The primary author of many of RIA’s submissions, Dr. Scott Timcke, welcomes this step, seeing it as the first of many more to come. “Yes, we should be pleased that there are venues to direct the global attention economy of AI,” he said, “and in these venues we must work hard to keep questions of fairness and economic justice front and centre.” RIA’s Just AI programme has been a loud voice in evidence for African contributions to AI governance, as well as redressing inequalities throughout the entire supply chains.
The establishment of these institutions signifies the growing recognition that AI governance must be truly global and inclusive, despite challenging geopolitical contexts. This represents a significant step toward more equitable AI governance that recognizes the agency and expertise of the Global South in shaping our technological future.
RIA remains committed to ensuring African voices and perspectives continue to be on the agenda of these UN bodies, especially as they begin their transformative work.
