Akira Consult Limited

A policy direction (whether on zero hunger or others) that recognises and attends to the AI and overall technology divide between the Global North and Global South; and which policy is developed with that in mind, gaining balanced input from both divides and which keeps answering the question- does this make the divide greater or better? Does this solve the real human problem?

• Safe, secure and trustworthy AI
• Interoperability of governance approaches
• Social, economic, ethical, cultural, linguistic and technical implications of AI
• AI capacity-building

I chose these because safe, secure and trustworthy AI invites transparency, oversight and accountability and safeguarding of human rights. Capacity building especially for Africa is vital and therefore should be prioritised and whether we choose to build or leverage of open source/data or AI models, it shall be determined by our own capacity and we shall build for our own socio-economic, cultural and other aspects. Interoperability is important because we live in a global world and until we have our own, we need to collaborate and governance shall guide how we do that.

Data sovereignity, Global AI funding that is adhered to and proportionately distributed especially to close out any divides and how the growth in AI can be supported without detriment to climate change. We all see the energy and water effects and we need to have safeguards in place. AI growth should not be at the detriment of the planet.

Africa specifically needs to be supported to bridge the technology and AI divide. A challenge is under representation in these global spaces where global direction is being discussed while a very key stakeholder is still tying its laces in getting its AI national strategies off the ground. Equity in representation shall lead to governance direction that is good for all. Also, allowing Africa to first agree continentally or regionally to its governance thematics before developing global governance frameworks that are not interoperable would be counterproductive.

The AI dialogue can possibly start by having regional dialogues sponsored by the UN that then channel their recommendations to the global stage. A global dialogue risks missing out on the nuances that smaller groups who by some misfortune cannot be present in Geneva in July. This shall allow solid and well thought out views to emerge and which can later be harmonised.

I believe every region and or continent or advanced economy has institutions that are already having AI Governance discussions. Once verified that they speak for these blocs, they should be invited and or supported to attend such forums to present their regions views for consideration

I believe the current conference framework of an opening address breaking down the themes into working sessions and present the question that best represents the theme, allow people to debate and make recommendations at the end. Also have regional break out rooms that also respond to the same thematic questions and then consolidate the responses

Africans, Women, Youth, People with disabilities. All these have representative UN Bodies that can do a good job of collecting their views in a representative and equitable manner and present them at the AI Global dialogue

Anonymout mentimeter or Slido-like polls to get a sense check on the feelings of participants, Virtual non paticipatory attendance by interested people like myself

I like the work that All Tech is Human does in educating and discussing responsible AI including AI governance.