OECD-African Union (AU) AI Dialogue

The government of the United Kingdom (UK) is sponsoring and participating in a dialogue between two key bodies in AI policy: the OECD and the African Union (AU). This event facilitated a closed-door dialogue with representatives from the AU AI Working Group and the AU Commission, the United Kingdom, the OECD Secretariat, and invited experts. The agenda included critical discussions on AI governance, fostering collaboration, and addressing shared challenges.

The event helped to inform AU’s work on the development of their Artificial Intelligence Continental Strategy for Africa (AACS), in addition to numerous other African AI initiatives, making it particularly timely to discuss national and regional perspectives and efforts in view of collective exchange and collaboration. The dialogue allowed the OECD to engage with, learn from, and build lasting connections with African AI leaders. Furthermore, the dialogue stimulated, and served as a benchmark for, other AI governance initiatives aimed at reinforcing international cooperation.

The event took place in a hybrid format on March 5-6, 2024, at the OECD Headquarters in Paris, France.

Lorrayne Porciuncula, Executive Director of the Datasphere Initiative spoke at the session on ‘Data and AI for Development’ on March 6, 2024, at 11.45-12.45am CET.