LAGOS – The future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa will take center stage as the US and Nigerian tech industries come together for a landmark summit in Lagos. The "Global Inclusivity and Artificial Intelligence: Africa" conference is set for September 10-11 and will bring together around 300 key stakeholders from across the continent.
According to a statement from the US Consulate General, high-ranking US government officials will join African tech policy leaders, private sector executives, civil society members, and academic experts to discuss AI opportunities and challenges. The summit will focus on the development, deployment, and governance of AI technologies in Africa.
The two-day conference will feature a mix of plenary and breakout sessions, panel discussions, site visits, and networking events. The goal, as noted by the Consulate, is to help participants identify strategies for tech governance that ensure AI is adopted safely, protecting the public from potential risks while maximizing its benefits for all.
This event is a significant milestone in US-Nigeria relations, building on recent diplomatic engagements, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's visit to Nigeria in January and the US-Nigeria Binational Commission meetings in April. In July, the two nations signed a memorandum of understanding to advance data protection and foster AI innovation.
Earlier this year, US Assistant Secretary of Commerce Arun Venkataraman met with Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Bosun Tijani, to discuss the potential economic growth, job creation, and sustainability opportunities in the digital economy. Both officials underscored the importance of balancing AI's transformative capabilities with the need to manage its risks, aligning with the United Nations’ recent resolution on “safe and trustworthy AI systems for sustainable development."
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