"This report is intended to provide a broad review of the use and emerging governance of AI technology in Southern Africa. It aims at initiating public discussions and policy dialogue not only on the technological implications of the use of AI, but also on the social, political, and ethical signific
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ance and consequences of it. Through this report, UNESCO’s objective is also to provide the evidence that AI technologies are already being used in many domains and sectors in Southern Africa, thus countering the narrative that the ethics of AI is still premature to be discussed and taken seriously by the local actors in the region. The analysis comprises four parts that, read together, present a review of key policies, use cases, risks and opportunities for the design, development, governance and usage of responsible AI in the region. These are: (i) AI Regulatory and Policy Mapping; (ii) Analysis of Artificial Intelligence Applications; (iii) Ethical Risk of AI Use (derived from the findings in the policy mapping and use case analysis); and (iv) Key Opportunities and Recommendations." (Introduction)
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"Just as in the global context, new tools are being used by the media in Latin America and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The use of artificial intelligence and machine learning (ALI/ML) is not limited to large, corporate media. But the reality of different news organisations with a variety of bu
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dgets and markets can vary deeply. In Latin America, only a handful of media organisations are embracing AI or machine learning in house, most notably in Argentina, Perú and México and none as part of a long term effort to embrace the technology. While most of the news organisations consulted are using some sort of AI implementation through vendors or third party solutions and there is strong appetite for more it is rarely part of a strategic vision. In CEE, digital natives are embracing AI/ML solutions and the region has been produced a few AI/ML based third party solution providers with global reach or ambitions. Competition for talent is a major bottleneck, as media have to compete with the global outsourcing of IT jobs to the region. The other challenge is state pressure on media, especially in such markets as Russia or Belarus, which makes long-term planning and investment impractical." (Key findings, page 5)
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"Welcome to the AI journalism Starter Pack, a guide designed to help news organisations learn about the opportunities offered by artificial intelligence (AI) to support their journalism. This guide will be of use to any news organisation approaching AI technologies but it is especially targeted at s
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mall and local publishers." (Introduction)
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"This paper synthesizes research on current trends, programmes, policies and uses of AI related to technical and vocational education and training across six continents, covering developing and developed contexts, as a resource for stakeholders invested in the future of intermediate-level workers an
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d TVET. Lecturers, students, administrators, policymakers, programme implementers and lifelong learners are invited to examine current practices, opportunities and challenges raised by AI, and recommendations to build a future-ready education and training system." (Short summary, page 3)
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"Intended as a guide for policy-makers and other stakeholders in crafting a national AI and data strategy for development, the report highlights opportunities and outlines good policy and regulatory practices for implementation, while also flagging key challenges and offering hands-on suggestions in
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managing and overcoming these roadblocks. The report describes the main building-blocks of a national AI and data system for development, including governance, regulation, ethical considerations, digital and data skills, the overall digital environment, the technological innovation landscape and opportunities for international collaboration. It goes on to detail the main components of an effective AI and data system action plan, including the principles governing stakeholder engagement, the setting of clear milestones and budgets and administrative structures to support implementation and coordination mechanisms." (Foreword)
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"Although AI solutions have the potential to drive growth and development across major sectors such as finance, agriculture, and healthcare, the AI industry is currently still based in North America, Europe, and Asia, with Africa, unfortunately, still underrepresented (Jungblut, 2020). This is a thr
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ee-part series that will explore the landscape of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across the African continent through a feminist lens. This first part outlines existing AI applications on the continent, factors that drive or hinder AI innovation, and ethical concerns surrounding the impact of AI on women in the African context." (Executive summary)
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"This book discusses digitalization, robotization, and automation of society and of the economy and the use of artificial intelligence from an ethical perspective. After an introduction on the correlation between morality and technology and an assessment of the moral capability of technologies, the
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book introduces ethical principles serving the evaluation of the digital transformation and the use of artificial intelligence. Subsequently, the digital transformation and its chances and challenges are analyzed from an ethical standpoint. Finally, ethical approaches addressing the challenges are developed." (Abstract)
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"Cultural heritage organizations face at least three main challenges. First, the volume of digital archives makes it extremely difficult for archivists to assess records. Applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to archives is still at an experimental stage, but AI/ ML could b
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ecome an integral part of archival processes. To manage the sheer bulk and potential sensitivity of records, archivists will also rely on creators to help them make appraisal and selection decisions at the point of deposit. Second, most born-digital collections are currently closed due to a wide range of reasons (including technical issues, copyright, and data protection). Regardless of whether archives are digital or not, archivists need to balance individual rights and the public interest in the context of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe. Nobody would reasonably claim that all born-digital data should be unlocked and openly accessible. Yet, it is important to recognize that “dark” archives contain vast amounts of data essential to scholars – including email correspondence, drafts of manuscripts, digital photos and videos. Within current legal frameworks, making born-digital archives more accessible is an urgent priority to fully make sense of our cultural heritage. Third, data science and AI are becoming essential tools, but very few scholars (particularly in the humanities) have been trained to master these research methods, a skills gap which in turn has an impact on the training we offer to students." (Introduction, page 7-8)
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"[...] EU policy-making capacity must be supported by a broader ecosystem of stakeholders and experts especially from civil society. This AI & Society Ecosystem, a subset of a broader AI Ecosystem that also includes industry actors, is essential in informing policy-making on AI, as well as holding t
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he government to its self-proclaimed standard of promoting AI in the interest of society at large. We propose the ecosystem perspective, originating from biology and already applied in management and innovation studies (also with regard to AI). It captures the need for diversity of actors and expertise, directs the attention to synergies and connections, and puts the focus on the capacity to produce good outcomes over time. We argue that such a holistic perspective is urgently needed if the EU wants to fulfil its ambitions regarding trustworthy AI. The report aims to draw attention to the role of government actors and foundations in strengthening the AI & Society Ecosystem. The report identifies ten core functions, or areas of expertise, that an AI & Society Ecosystem needs to be able to perform – ten areas of expertise where the ecosystem can contribute meaningfully to the policy debate: Policy, technology, investigation, and watchdog expertise; Expertise in strategic litigation, and in building public interest use cases of AI; Campaign and outreach, and research expertise; Expertise in promoting AI literacy and education; and sector-specific expertise. In a fully flourishing ecosystem these functions need to be connected in order to complement each other and benefit from each other." (Executive summary, page 2-3)
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"Understanding and improving the science behind the algorithms that run our lives is quickly becoming one of the most pressing issues of this century. Traditional solutions, such as laws, regulations and watchdog groups, have proven woefully inadequate, at best. Derived from the cutting-edge of scie
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ntific research, The Ethical Algorithm offers a new approach: a set of principled solutions based on the emerging and exciting science of socially aware algorithm design. Weaving together the science behind algorithm design with stories of citizens, lawyers, scientists, and activists experiencing the trial-and-error of research in real-time, Michael Kearns and Aaron Roth present a strikingly original way forward, showing how we can begin to work together to protect people from the unintended impacts of algorithms—and, sometimes, protect the science that could save us from ourselves." (Publisher description)
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"Artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly important tool for shaping and arbitrating online information. It is increasingly, and often invisibly, used by both public authorities and private companies, and greatly impacts the way people seek, receive, impart and access information. Cou
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pled with its ability to identify, surveil and track people, AI can seriously impede on the right to freedom of expression. This #SAIFE Paper puts a spotlight on AI and freedom of expression, and provides guidance and preliminary recommendations on how to effectively safeguard free speech when AI is deployed." (Back cover)
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"This guide has explored some of the key considerations that should inform the conceptualization and implementation of Machine Learning (ML) and artifical intelligence (AI) components within a development project. New, automated decision systems can offer considerable and rapid efficiency gains, but
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we must always remember that they embed numerous and ongoing human decisions. These may be intentional or unintentional, benevolent or malicious, general or highly context specific. As with physical infrastructure such as roads and bridges, digital infrastructure can all too easily encode unexamined bias – sometimes in ways that can undermine development gains. As outlined in this guide, a wide variety of decisions need to be made at different stages of the project lifecycle: from which stakeholders should be involved and how, to measuring model accuracy and success, to determining overall whether ML is an appropriate tool to use for your development context. There is no one-size-fits all answer to these questions. But whatever the specific ML/AI technologies and applications you consider, broad guidance is offered in the four thematic areas woven throughout this guide: Responsible, equitable, and inclusive design; Strategic partnerships and human capital; Adaptive management; Enabling environment for ML/AI. These focal points should help you and your project team make the best possible choices at each stage of the project life cycle." (Conclusion)
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"This article explores the challenges and opportunities presented by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) in the context of information operations. The article first examines the ways in which AI can be used to counter disinformation online. It then dives into some of the limitations of AI solut
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ions and threats associated with AI techniques, namely user profiling, micro-targeting, and deep fakes. Finally, the paper reviews a number of solutions that could help address the spread of AI-powered disinformation and improve the online environment. The article recognises that in the fight against disinformation, there is no single fix. The next wave of disinformation calls first and foremost for societal resilience." (Abstract)
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"Was wollen wir mit den Thesen erreichen? Sie sind eine Momentaufnahme auf die Digitalität. Sie müssen ständig fortgeschrieben werden, weil die Entwicklungen ungeheuer agil sind. Sie beinhalten auch keine umfassende theologische Deutung der Digitalität. Die vorliegenden Thesen sind aber ein Disk
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ussionsbeitrag, der die Schnittmenge zwischen Digitalität und KI einerseits und dem christlichen Menschenbild andererseits, das den Menschen in seiner Transzendenz versteht, skizziert. Als Kirche stecken wir also quasi einen Claim in Sachen Digitalität ab. Zusammenfassend stelle ich fest: Digitalität und KI müssen nicht in einer Dystopie enden. Sie können für das Wohl der Menschen und unserer Gesellschaft eine große Wirkung entfalten. Unter dem Anspruch menschendienlicher und sachgerechter Technologie-Gestaltung muss sich keiner vor dieser technischen Umwälzung fürchten. Denn Digitalität und Künstliche Intelligenz stehen im Dienst des Geist-begabten und Selbst-bewussten Menschen. Kommunikations- und Medienkompetenz helfen bei deren Entfaltung." (Bischof Gebhard Fürst, Seite 2)
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"We have prepared this report as experts in spheres ranging from computer science, philosophy, and technology impact assessment via physics and engineering to social sciences, and we work together as the AI Ethics Impact Group (AIEI Group). Our paper offers concrete guidance to decision-makers in or
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ganisations developing and using AI on how to incorporate values into algorithmic decision-making, and how to measure the fulfilment of values using criteria, observables and indicators combined with a context-dependent risk assessment. It thus presents practical ways of monitoring ethically relevant system characteristics as a basis for policymakers, regulators, oversight bodies, watchdog organisations and standards development organisations. So this framework is for working towards better control, oversight and comparability of different AI systems, and also forms a basis for informed choices by citizens and consumers." (Executive summary)
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