Afrika Techno Policy

In a major development for global artificial intelligence (AI) governance, the UN-based Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies (ODET) has prepared a Zero Draft Resolution on the terms of reference for establishing an Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence and a Global Dialogue on Artificial Intelligence Governance. After a round of consultation, the draft will be handed over to the UN General Assembly to action a motion. Independent International Scientific Panel on AI The Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence will provide multidisciplinary, evidence-based scientific assessments of AI’s opportunities, risks, capabilities, and impacts. The panel will consist of: An Expert Committee of 20 members appointed by the UN Secretary-General. An Advisory Committee of 40 members elected by the General Assembly. Both committees will feature experts serving in their personal capacity, with appointments lasting three years (renewa...

As AI sweeps through the private sector, some government agencies wish to eagerly follow suit, deploying chatbots to handle everything from constituent services to policy deliberation. This enthusiasm, while understandable, must be tempered with caution. Despite the proliferation of these AI systems in public administration, there is a critical shortage of both summative and formative evidence regarding their impacts. One of the key questions of our age is how might evolving information technology affect the quality of democracy. Today, that question remains largely unanswered as we rush headlong into AI adoption primarily driven by promises of cost reduction and convenience. But what if cost and convenience, rather than aiding democracy, undermines it instead. There are good reasons to believe that this may be the case. Consider New York City's small business chatbot , which notoriously offered advice on how to circumvent local regulations. Far from an isolated incident, suc...