RWANDA UNESCO: (AI) artificial intelligence take shape in regulation and framework Ethics

This workshop was organized in Kigali by the Rwandan National Commission for UNESCO (CNRU), in collaboration with the German National Commission for UNESCO.

Albert MUTESA, Secretary General of Rwanda National Commission for UNESCO (CNRU)

Speaking to the press, the secretary general of CNRU, Albert Mutesa, returned to the importance of good use of artificial intelligence in different sectors of life, the implementation of measures relating to ethics on the use of artificial intelligence in Rwanda was at the center of the discussions.

The Rwandan National Commission for UNESCO (CNRU) recommends responsible and ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). This was highlighted by CNRU Secretary General, Albert Mutesa, at the opening of a 2-day national workshop on the use of artificial intelligence for the common good.

We are here to study guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). It must be used responsibly. A certain regulation must be respected to avoid risks of harm to the life of society,” underlined Albert Mutesa.

“UNESCO advocates education, science and the culture of peace. Artificial intelligence is a technology that will soon be influential in all sectors of life in the world. The misuse of artificial intelligence can lead to negative effects such as insecurity,” he continued.

It was necessary for UNESCO to take the first step, to put in place measures for people to know how they behave, their value, how they work together, complement each other, so that it becomes more useful, people work well together without making others difficult, because things like that are all related to knowledge, if it is not properly controlled or given a good line, it could have a negative effect, and the advice is for people to understand the same, to understand the study that was done.”

The Director of UNESCO Office for Eastern Africa, Hugue Ngandeu Ngatta

The Director of the Social and Human Sciences Unit at the UNESCO Multi-Sectoral Regional Office for Eastern Africa, Hugue Ngandeu Ngatta, thanked the Rwandan government for approving the Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy ) on April 20, 2023.

According to him, Rwanda is the most advanced African country in the process of promoting the use of AI.

Ms. Esther Kunda, Director General, Innovation and Emerging Technologies in the Ministry of ICT and Innovation (MINICT).

The Rwandan government was represented by the Director General in charge of innovation and new technologies within the Rwandan Ministry of Technology and Innovation, Ester Kunda. She said that the use of artificial intelligence in Rwanda is one of the government’s priorities.

“Artificial intelligence is one of the priorities of the Rwandan government in different sectors of the country’s life. I also hope that this national workshop will be an opportunity for an exchange of experience which will be followed by a commitment from our various partners in promoting the use of AI,” declared Ester Kunda.

At the 6th Transform Africa Summit held in Zimbabwe, President Paul Kagame called on his peers to look to artificial intelligence (AI) for greater productivity.

AI is a discipline that brings together sciences, theories and techniques whose goal is to make a machine imitate the cognitive abilities of a human being.

Vice-president of the Rwandan National Commission for UNESCO (CNRU), Dr Marie-Christine Gasingirwa

The vice-president of the Rwandan National Commission for UNESCO (CNRU), Dr Marie-Christine Gasingirwa, clarified that artificial intelligence improves production but without eliminating the principles of human dignity.

This is an innovation which, she says, will also take into account the socio-cultural realities of the country. According to Dr Marie-Christine Gasingirwa, this new technology did not come to keep people out of the job market.

Director of the unit responsible for science and technology at the Rwandan National Commission for UNESCO, Dominique Mvunabandi

The director of the unit responsible for science and technology within the Rwandan National Commission for UNESCO, Dominique Mvunabandi, specified that the use of Artificial Intelligence will take into account certain realities so as not to run a lot of risks.

“It is true that the use of AI improves performance. But we must not run the risk of seeing our population threatened by phenomena such as unemployment,” said Mr. Mvunabandi. ”This technology will be applied where possible. This is among the recommendations”

In collaboration with international partners was highly recommended to move this project forward, Here we were referring to a financial contribution to import the equipment necessary for the use of this AI technology in Rwanda.

At the end of this 2-day workshop, most of the recommendations focused on the government’s commitment but while respecting the principles of human dignity.