Côte d’Ivoire champions collaborative digital sovereignty and proposes an african AI school in geneva
At the United Nations Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva, Côte d’Ivoire emerged as a powerful advocate for inclusive and shared artificial intelligence.
Representing Côte d’Ivoire, Mr. Djibril Ouattara, the Minister of Communication and Government Spokesperson, articulated his nation’s vision. He called for a global governance framework for artificial intelligence that proactively addresses past shortcomings while ensuring Africa’s integral role in this transformative technological revolution. The Minister commenced his address by commending the UN’s initiative and conveying a message from his country’s President.
Acknowledging the profound implications, Mr. Ouattara underscored AI’s monumental impact. He referenced a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), stating, “According to a PWC study, AI could contribute an astonishing 15.7 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2030. However, a critical question arises: which economies will truly reap these benefits?”
For Abidjan, the answer is unequivocal: “For Côte d’Ivoire, the path is clear: AI must not be the exclusive domain of a select few economies or platforms. It must serve as a catalyst for shared, ethical progress for all.”
An ambitious digital future and five foundational initiatives
Côte d’Ivoire is strategically leveraging digital technology to ascend to the ranks of upper-tier emerging nations. With an impressive 95% broadband coverage currently, the nation is striving for 100% to ensure “all government services are accessible online to every citizen.”
This digital transformation is spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition and Technological Innovation. Its comprehensive roadmap includes “a dedicated strategic pillar for deploying inclusive and ethical Ivorian artificial intelligence.” The overarching ambition is explicit: “to harness AI as a driving force for national sovereignty, enhanced productivity, greater inclusion, and widespread social advancement.”
Four pillars for global AI governance
Côte d’Ivoire passionately advocated for a global artificial intelligence governance structure built upon four essential pillars. The first is inclusion, ensuring “no nation is left behind in this revolution, and that developing countries receive vital support in accessing infrastructure, data, and funding.” The second pillar is trust, to be fostered through “clear principles of transparency, robust cybersecurity, and comprehensive data protection.”
The third pillar emphasizes interoperability, achieved through “open architectures and the secure circulation of data crucial for development.” Finally, the fourth pillar champions cooperative digital sovereignty, “enabling every country to actively participate in defining regulations and adapting AI to its unique national context.”
The Minister stressed the imperative for supranational frameworks, noting: “Given that the digital realm inherently transcends borders, we are actively engaged in all supranational initiatives that can safeguard our citizens from biases and ideological influences in the application of AI.”
Towards an African School of AI
Drawing on Côte d’Ivoire’s rich experience within organizations like OHADA, CAMES, and UEMOA, Mr. Ouattara issued a compelling call for mutualization. “Therefore, I seize this platform to urge regional cooperation and the pooling of efforts, projects, and investments.” The primary objectives include establishing shared infrastructure, developing tools for informational heritage, and critically, advancing education and training.
His flagship proposal centers on the establishment of a Regional African School of Artificial Intelligence. He deemed this initiative indispensable for artificial intelligence 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 also distinguished by its strong advocacy for inclusive global artificial intelligence governance. In his concluding remarks, the nation applauded “the adoption of the Pact for the Future and the Global Digital Pact” and reiterated “its unwavering commitment to contribute, alongside the United Nations, ITU, and UNESCO, to inclusive global governance (…) My country is firmly convinced that the future of AI must be constructed collectively, serving as an instrument for shared progress,” he affirmed.
