Ethiopia Finalizing National Policy on AI

Addis Ababa, June 30, 2023 (FBC) – The Ministry of Innovation and Technology announced it is finalizing the preparation of national policy on Artificial Intelligence (AI).

According to Ethiopian News Agency (ENA), the AI sector has been growing in Ethiopia over the last five years.

Accordingly, the draft AI policy document comprises major policy issues outlining Ethiopia’s existing realities and future development and growth directions.

The draft policy also covers data management, human resource development, research and development, assistance and encouragement, infrastructure, law and ethics, as well as cooperation and coordination.

Innovation and Technology State Minister Huria Ali noted the draft policy which the Ethiopian Institute of Artificial Intelligence will develop gives in-depth considerations for development of national data sharing guidelines, quality and research ethics, regulatory frameworks and guidelines for use of human resources in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.

She further noted that the policy will introduce a better form of procedures that should be done in cooperation with all regional states in the country, city administrations, as well as international institutions, partners and stakeholders.

Deputy Director General of Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Taye Girma said on his part the institute is striving hard to make Ethiopia a center of Arica’s excellence in AI by developing and using the artificial intelligence technology.

Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, the Ministry of Innovation and Technology, the Policy Research Institute, Addis Ababa University, representatives of the private sector and other stakeholders participated in devising the draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy, it was indicated.