At the United Nations’ Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Côte d’Ivoire emerged as a prominent advocate for inclusive and shared artificial intelligence.

Representing his nation, Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, Mr. Djibril Ouattara, articulated a vision for global AI governance that learns from past missteps while positioning Africa at the forefront of the technological revolution. He commended the UN’s initiative and conveyed a powerful message from his country’s President.

Acknowledging the profound implications, Mr. Ouattara highlighted AI’s transformative potential. He referenced a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), which projected AI’s contribution to the global economy could reach $15.7 trillion by 2030. This raised a critical question: which economies would truly reap these benefits?

For Abidjan, the answer is unequivocal: “For Côte d’Ivoire, the message is clear: AI must not be the exclusive domain of a select few economies or platforms. It must serve as an ethical and shared engine for progress.”

A bold digital ambition and five key initiatives

Côte d’Ivoire is strategically leveraging digital transformation to ascend to the status of an upper-tier emerging nation. With an impressive 95% broadband coverage currently, the country aims for 100% to ensure all government services are accessible online for its citizens.

This ambitious transformation is spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation. Its comprehensive roadmap includes a strategic pillar specifically dedicated to deploying an “inclusive and ethical Ivorian artificial intelligence.” The overarching goal is distinct: “to harness AI as a catalyst for national sovereignty, enhanced productivity, widespread inclusion, and universal social advancement.”

Four pillars for global AI governance

Côte d’Ivoire passionately championed a global artificial intelligence governance framework built upon four foundational pillars. The first, inclusion, seeks to prevent any nation from being marginalized by this revolution, ensuring developing countries receive essential support for accessing infrastructure, data, and funding. The second pillar, trust, is to be established through clear principles of transparency, robust cybersecurity, and comprehensive data protection.

The third crucial element is interoperability, achieved via open architectures and the secure circulation of data vital for development. Finally, the fourth pillar advocates for cooperative digital sovereignty, empowering each country to actively participate in defining the rules and adapting AI solutions to its unique national context and realities.

The Minister underscored the indispensable role of supranational frameworks, stating, “Given that the digital realm inherently transcends borders, we are actively engaged in all supranational efforts designed to safeguard our citizens from potential biases and ideological influences in the application of AI.”

Towards an African School of AI

Drawing on Côte d’Ivoire’s extensive experience within regional bodies like OHADA, CAMES, and UEMOA, Mr. Ouattara issued a compelling call for collaborative efforts. “Therefore, I seize this platform to urge regional cooperation and the pooling of efforts, projects, and investments.” The core objectives include constructing shared infrastructure, developing tools for information heritage, and crucially, fostering specialized training.

His flagship proposal centers on the establishment of a Regional African School of Artificial Intelligence. He considers this initiative vital for AI to deliver tangible benefits “immediately to our populations in critical areas such as health, education, and food security,” he emphasized.

Côte d’Ivoire’s participation was prominently marked by its advocacy for inclusive global AI governance. In his closing remarks, the nation applauded “the adoption of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Compact,” reaffirming “its steadfast commitment to contributing, alongside the United Nations, ITU, and UNESCO, to inclusive global governance (…). My country is convinced that the future of AI must be forged collectively, as an instrument for shared progress,” he declared.