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Mauritius hosts inaugural AI summit
Mauritius hosted its inaugural AI Summit under the esteemed patronage of UNESCO between 9 and 10 May 2024, at Le Meridien Hotel, Pointe aux Piments. The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of His Excellency Prithvirajsing Roopun, President of the Republic of Mauritius.
Organized by the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication, and Innovation of the Republic of Mauritius, along with the Mauritius Emerging Technology Council (METC), the summit aimed to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for inclusive socio-economic development.
With the boundless potential of AI comes also responsibilities to ensure that it is developed and deployed in a manner that prioritizes human wellbeing, respect privacy and upholds fundamental rights and values.
Dignitaries including ministers responsible for AI and ICT from the United Arab Emirates, Comoros, and Mauritius, were joined by delegates, experts, CEOs, academia, and political leaders from Botswana, Kenya, China, Hong Kong, Rwanda, South Africa, Switzerland, and the USA. Representatives from diplomatic corps, development partners, and both public and private sectors of Mauritius, as well as regulators like ITU and ATU, were also in attendance.
We need to invest in the younger generations and empower them across geographies in the use of this technology for good, to be able to see Africa leapfrog.
Discussions revolved around AI governance, innovation, and its diverse applications across sectors such as education, research, industry, health, transportation, logistics, banking, fintech, and climate change. The summit emphasized the opportunities and challenges of AI regulation, with a focus on ethical concerns and risks while fostering innovation.
A highlight of the event was the spotlight on the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, presented by Prof. Emma Ruttkamp-Bloem, a renowned expert in philosophy and member of the UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology. The recommendation, adopted in 2021 by 193 Member States, emphasizes human-centered, inclusive, and responsible AI development and deployment.
Mauritius, recognized as a pioneer in AI development in Africa, showcased its National AI Strategy developed in 2018. With UNESCO's support, the country conducted a Readiness Assessment to gauge its preparedness for ethical and responsible AI implementation, identifying key areas for institutional and regulatory improvements.
UNESCO and its partners are currently assisting over 20 African countries and approximately 50 globally in assessing their readiness and status in the AI journey. This initiative aims to align with global AI standards to maximize benefits while minimizing risks, contributing to a more inclusive, sustainable, and peaceful world.
The AI Summit was part of METX 2024, an initiative by METC to position Mauritius as a premier destination for technological innovation. METX also included an Industry Day and a National EXPO to showcase cutting-edge technologies and their practical applications.
By convening global leaders and experts, the AI Summit not only sparked dialogue on AI's transformative potential but also inspired concrete actions to ensure that technological progress is equitable and ethically guided, striking a balance between innovation, regulation, and ethics.
