📋 Tender Overview
PROJECT ID
110471
TOTAL FUNDING
CAD 988,500.00
IDRC OFFICER
Matthew Smith
PROJECT STATUS
Active
DURATION
36 months
Summary
Artificial intelligence (AI), when combined with other technologies, could play an essential role in helping countries in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve their development goals. However, critical gaps inhibit the integration and adoption of AI technologies in a responsible manner. Challenges include a skills gap driven partly by weaknesses in undergraduate and postgraduate programs at technical universities seeking to support the necessary skills to drive innovation and ensure uptake.
This project seeks to foster innovation and understanding of responsible AI in practice as a catalyst for ethical, sustainable development through the development and research of AI innovations in critical development areas such as health, languages and agriculture. It also aims to democratize AI education not only to develop skilled professionals but also to lay the foundation for an AI-empowered workforce capable of driving local innovation and contributing to the global AI ecosystem. It will also contribute to an enabling environment for AI development that is aligned with ethical standards and local needs through policy and practice influence. This includes actively engaging with decision-makers in government and other relevant bodies, including promoting AI champions within governmental and parliamentary structures and establishing a presence in international policy forums.
This project is a part of the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) program, a five-year partnership between IDRC and the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Its aim is to support policy, innovations and expanded leadership to spur safe and responsible AI development and use in Africa. The vision of the partnership is to support an inclusive, responsible AI ecosystem that improves quality of life for all in Africa and beyond.
