Côte d’Ivoire champions inclusive ai governance and regional education in geneva

At the recent Global Dialogue on AI Governance, hosted by the United Nations in Geneva, Côte d’Ivoire emerged as a powerful advocate for inclusive and shared Artificial Intelligence.

Representing his nation, Mr. Djibril Ouattara, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, articulated Côte d’Ivoire’s vision for global AI governance. He emphasized the critical need to learn from past technological revolutions, ensuring that Africa is not merely a spectator but a central player in the evolving AI landscape. The Minister commenced his address by commending the UN’s initiative and conveying a significant message from his country’s President.

Acknowledging the immense implications, Mr. Ouattara highlighted AI as a transformative force. He cited a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), which projects AI’s potential contribution to the global economy to reach an astounding $15.7 trillion by 2030. This raised a crucial query: which economies are truly positioned to reap these substantial benefits?

For the Ivorian government, the answer is unequivocal: “For Côte d’Ivoire, the response is clear: AI must not remain the exclusive privilege of a select few economies or platforms. It must serve as an ethical catalyst for shared progress.”

A National Digital Ambition and Five Structural Projects

Côte d’Ivoire is strategically leveraging digital innovation to achieve its goal of becoming a top-tier emerging nation. With an impressive 95% broadband coverage currently, the country aims to achieve 100% saturation. This ambitious target seeks to “make government services universally accessible online for all citizens.”

This comprehensive digital transformation is spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation. Its strategic roadmap incorporates “a dedicated pillar focused on deploying inclusive and ethical Ivorian artificial intelligence.” The underlying aspiration is distinct: “to transform AI into a powerful engine for national sovereignty, enhanced productivity, widespread inclusion, and equitable social advancement for everyone.”

Four Pillars for Global AI Governance

Côte d’Ivoire passionately advocated for a global AI governance framework built upon four fundamental pillars. The first pillar is inclusion, striving “to ensure no nation is marginalized from this revolution and that developing countries receive essential support in accessing crucial infrastructure, data resources, and vital funding.” The second pillar is trust, to be established through “unambiguous principles of transparency, robust cybersecurity measures, and comprehensive data protection protocols.”

The third pillar, interoperability, is envisioned through “open architectural frameworks and the secure flow of data critical for developmental progress.” Finally, the fourth pillar champions cooperative digital sovereignty, empowering “each country to actively participate in defining the governing rules and to tailor AI applications to its unique national circumstances.”

The Minister underscored the indispensable role of supranational frameworks, stating: “Given that the digital realm inherently transcends borders, we are committed to participating in all supranational initiatives designed to safeguard our citizens from potential biases and ideological influences in the deployment of AI.”

Towards an African Regional AI School

Drawing on Côte d’Ivoire’s rich experience within regional bodies such as OHADA, CAMES, and UEMOA, Mr. Ouattara issued a compelling call for collaborative efforts. “Therefore, I seize this platform to urge regional cooperation and the pooling of collective efforts, projects, and investments.” The overarching objective is to construct shared digital infrastructures, develop tools to preserve and enrich informational heritage, and, critically, to cultivate specialized talent through comprehensive training.

His flagship proposal involves the establishment of a Regional African School of Artificial Intelligence. He considers this initiative vital for AI to deliver tangible benefits “immediately to our populations across critical sectors like health, education, and food security,” he affirmed.

Côte d’Ivoire’s participation also featured a strong appeal for globally inclusive AI governance. In his concluding remarks, the nation welcomed “the adoption of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Pact” and reiterated “its steadfast commitment to collaborate with the United Nations, ITU, and UNESCO, towards inclusive global governance (…). My country is firmly convinced that the future of AI must be forged collectively, serving as an instrument for shared advancement,” he declared.