Namibia Launches Pioneering Artificial Intelligence Preparedness Evaluation Report
Namibia has unveiled its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Readiness Assessment Report, outlining plans to develop an ethical, inclusive, and sustainable AI ecosystem. The report, produced by the National Commission on Research, Science and Technology (NCRST) in collaboration with the Government of Japan and UNESCO, aims to help Namibia develop AI in a responsible and beneficial manner.
The report emphasizes AI's potential benefits for sectors like agriculture, water, energy, health, education, climate change, and security. It aligns with global best practices, including the African Union's Continental AI Strategy, the Windhoek Statement on AI in Southern Africa, and UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI.
Ethical AI Development
The report calls for building a legal and regulatory framework focused on data protection and ethical standards to minimize risks while maximizing AI’s social and economic benefits. Namibia commits to ethical, inclusive, and sustainable development in AI, ensuring AI systems are transparent, accountable, and free from algorithmic bias.
Inclusive AI Ecosystem
Namibia aims to ensure broad access to AI opportunities through education reforms. The roadmap includes introducing AI degrees at public universities and strengthening STEM education to capacitate Namibians to participate fully in AI development.
Sustainable AI Growth
The report envisions aligning AI initiatives with national development goals, including economic growth, resilience, and social development pillars, to harness AI for sustainable progress. High-performance computing centers have been established in Namibia to support AI development.
Current Challenges
Namibia currently lacks a dedicated AI policy or strategy, which limits holistic coordination and governance of AI technologies. Addressing this gap by drafting a comprehensive national AI strategy and strengthening institutional capacity is a priority.
The report positions Namibia to harness AI's transformative potential, but the country faces challenges, including the lack of binding AI laws and limited domestic AI expertise. AI-focused degree programs have been established at the University of Namibia and Namibia University of Science and Technology to address this issue.
The report concludes with a call to action, urging the move from assessment to implementation, ensuring AI is used for public good, innovation, and equitable growth. In collaboration with UNESCO, Namibia plans to foster an AI ecosystem that is forward-thinking, governed by ethically sound frameworks, inclusive in access and development, and sustainable in promoting national development.
[1] Namibia's Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Report: https://www.ncrst.na/media/2580/namibia-ai-readiness-assessment-report.pdf [2] African Union's Continental AI Strategy: https://au.int/en/sites/default/files/documents/37516-doc-african-union-continental-strategy-for-the-development-of-artificial-intelligence-and-robotics-2021-2030.pdf [3] Windhoek Statement on AI in Southern Africa: https://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/events/windhoek-statement-on-ai-in-southern-africa-2021/ [4] UNESCO's Recommendation on the Ethics of AI: https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/unesco_recommendation_on_the_ethics_of_artificial_intelligence.pdf
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