MISA Regional Secretariat Director, Dr Tabani Moyo, has been appointed as member of the African Union (AU) Working Group on Artificial Intelligence.
“We accept the responsibility thrust upon our shoulders with humility and honour in service of the peoples of Africa … and the diaspora. This is a recognition of the work we have done at MISA Regional Office, the chapters and networks that we serve in different capacities,” said Dr Moyo
“We are grateful for the depth and cordial working relationship we have with the Ministry of ICT (Information Communication Technology), Postal and Courier Services in Zimbabwe. Through our strategic partnership and engagements, our expertise has been spotlighted.”
He expressed gratitude to MISA’s symbiotic relationships with the African Union Commission (AUC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and UNESCO, particularly the Regional Office for Southern Africa (UNESCO-ROSA), and the organisation’s entire stakeholder chain.
Given the substantial global influence of AI, he said, particularly on the African continent, stakeholders should consider societal, scientific, educational, cultural, legal, and regulatory factors when developing or implementing AI systems.
It is in that context that the AU Commission in 2019 established and operationalised a Working Group on AI, which comprises AU Member States and Pan-African Organisations.
In April 2024, the 44th Ordinary Session of the African Union Executive Council endorsed the conceptual framework and tasked the AU Commission with expediting the development of a comprehensive, forward-looking, and action-oriented Continental AI Strategy.
This is aimed at effectively harnessing the potential of AI and transform the continent in line with the AU Agenda 2063 goals, while managing associated risks and harms. The African Union Executive Council adopted the AU Continental Artificial Intelligence Strategy in July 2024.
In July 2023, Dr Moyo, as the Convernor of IFEX, was one of the 21 expert members of the global committee established by Reporters Without Borders to develop a Media and AI Charter.
The committee members were drawn from 13 different countries, academics and professionals in the fields of journalism, AI and digital technologies.
Led by Maria Ressa, a journalist, and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, the international committee duly delivered the results of its work when the Charter was launched in November 2023.
