Center of Interdisciplinary Excellence in Artificial Intelligence for Development (CITADEL 2.0)

Artificial intelligence (AI), when combined with other technologies, could play an essential role in helping countries in sub-Saharan Africa to achieve their development goals. However, critical gaps inhibit the integration and adoption of AI technologies in a responsible manner. Challenges include a skills gap driven partly by weaknesses in undergraduate and postgraduate programs at technical universities seeking to support the necessary skills to drive innovation and ensure uptake.

This project seeks to foster innovation and understanding of responsible AI in practice as a catalyst for ethical, sustainable development through the development and research of AI innovations in critical development areas such as health, languages and agriculture. It also aims to democratize AI education not only to develop skilled professionals but also to lay the foundation for an AI-empowered workforce capable of driving local innovation and contributing to the global AI ecosystem. It will also contribute to an enabling environment for AI development that is aligned with ethical standards and local needs through policy and practice influence. This includes actively engaging with decision-makers in government and other relevant bodies, including promoting AI champions within governmental and parliamentary structures and establishing a presence in international policy forums.

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