Côte d’Ivoire champions cooperative digital sovereignty and an african AI school in geneva

At the United Nations’ Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Côte d’Ivoire presented a compelling vision for inclusive and shared Artificial Intelligence.

Representing his nation, Mr. Djibril Ouattara, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, advocated for a global AI governance framework that learns from past mistakes and positions Africa at the forefront of the technological revolution. The Minister began by commending the UN’s initiative and conveying his country’s President’s message.

Acknowledging the profound implications, Mr. Ouattara underscored AI as a monumental transformation. Citing a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), he highlighted: « According to PWC, AI could contribute an estimated $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030. However, a crucial question arises: which economies will truly reap these benefits? »

For Abidjan, the answer is unequivocal: « Côte d’Ivoire firmly believes that AI must not be the exclusive domain of a select few economies or platforms. Instead, it should serve as a catalyst for shared, ethical progress for all. »

A national digital ambition with five key initiatives

Côte d’Ivoire is leveraging digital transformation to achieve upper-middle-income emerging country status. With 95% broadband coverage currently, the nation aims for 100% to « ensure all government services are accessible online to every citizen. »

This transformative agenda is spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation. Its strategic roadmap includes « a dedicated pillar for deploying inclusive and ethical Ivorian artificial intelligence. » The overarching goal is clear: « to harness AI as a driver of sovereignty, productivity, inclusion, and social advancement for everyone. »

Four pillars for global AI governance

Côte d’Ivoire urged the establishment of a global AI governance model founded on four essential pillars. The first is inclusion, « ensuring no country is left behind in this revolution, and that developing nations receive support for accessing infrastructure, data, and funding. » The second is trust, fostered through « clear principles of transparency, robust cybersecurity, and comprehensive data protection. »

The third pillar is interoperability, achieved via « open architectures and the secure flow of data vital for development. » Finally, the fourth pillar emphasizes cooperative digital sovereignty, « empowering each country to participate in defining regulations and adapting AI to its unique circumstances. »

The Minister stressed the imperative of supranational frameworks: « Given the borderless nature of the digital realm, we actively engage in all supranational efforts that can safeguard our citizens from biases and ideological influences inherent in AI utilization. »

Towards an African School of AI

Drawing on Côte d’Ivoire’s experience within regional bodies like OHADA, CAMES, and UEMOA, Mr. Ouattara called for collective action. « Therefore, I seize this platform to advocate for regional cooperation and the pooling of efforts, projects, and investments. » The objective is to construct shared infrastructure, develop tools for informational heritage, and critically, to educate and train.

His flagship proposal involves establishing a Regional African School of Artificial Intelligence. He considers this initiative indispensable for AI to deliver tangible benefits « immediately to our populations in critical areas such as health, education, and food security, » he asserted.

Côte d’Ivoire’s participation also featured a strong plea for inclusive global AI governance. In closing, the nation applauded « the adoption of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact » and reaffirmed « its commitment to collaborate with the United Nations, ITU, and UNESCO towards inclusive global governance. My country is convinced that the future of AI must be built collectively, serving as an instrument of shared progress, » he declared.