Global justice remains in doubt as power blocs preserve dominance despite the fact that the world is encountering intensive changes because of emerging technologies. Artificial intelligence (AI), the most rated emerging technology, is now impacting the globe and become an international agenda of this time.
The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) has recommended national policy adoption during the policy-dialogue which held last Tuesday under the theme of “Global Artificial Indigence Governance System Initiatives and Ethiopia’s Prospect”.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also recognized AI as the most powerful technologies changing the diplomatic face of the world.
“AI is invading the globe… [] It is also inevitable that some countries with the technology may continue dominating others, so we need to set all-inclusive AI governance,” Foreign Minster Office Head, Ambassador Eshete Tilahun said.
As a country facing the threat, Ethiopia is trying to make AI governance as continental and global diplomatic agenda so as to acquire advantages and to reduce possible threats, according to Ambassador Eshete.
Innovation and Technology State Minister, Yeshurun Alemayehu (PhD) told Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) that Ethiopia is now at the edge of both opportunities and threats of AI and, formulating a regulatory legal framework is the existing option to maintain national independence since AI is widening beyond boundaries.
The government of Ethiopia is integrating technologies as per the “Digital Ethiopia 2025 strategy.” So, the national policy [in suit of AI global impacts] which will be endorsed after some steps, is part of the strategy, he highlighted.
Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute Deputy Director General, Taye Girma (PhD) also said that policy formulation for AI administration is progressing well.
Developing countries including Ethiopia are now desperately facing serious injustices triggered by the inequality. But, after the adoption of the policy, Ethiopia will advocate for the desirable equity in AI and it will help itself and the region as well, according to Taye.
IFA Director General, Jafar Bedru on his part, said that all countries including Ethiopia began using AI in several sectors though the law to curtail the growing global threat [of AI] is still uncompleted yet.
Using the technology does not necessarily mean that owning the technology, therefore, how to govern AI is still the matter since the switch button is in the hands of few, according to him.
“If we fail to administer the technology in centralized way, AI will help external traitors including terrorists and hackers. International organizations, including the United Nations and European Union have also taken the initiative to make an international law on AI governance and administration. Ethiopia also deserves to take part in the law making process,” he said.
Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute Technology Innovation Expert, Tadele Nigusu indicated that billions of dollars has been invested on AI across the globe. But, he criticizes the investment by developing countries including Ethiopia, is almost insignificant.
In 2022 alone, about 189 billion USD had been invested in AI development and the largest share was taken by developed ones. If same trend continues, then the burden will be for developing countries, he added.
United Nations Secretary General, Antonio Guteres, during the latest World Economic Forum held in Davos last February, had mentioned that the runaway development of Artificial Intelligence [by developed countries] is posing international threat, especially on countries which have no technological capacity
BY YESUF ENDRIS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD SATURDAY 9 MARCH 2024
