Economy
THE African Development Bank Group (AfDB), in partnership with the UNDP AI Hub for Sustainable Development, Google and Apolitical, has launched a free artificial intelligence (AI) training programme for African public officials.
The programme was launched on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA81) in New York.
The initiative, delivered through Apolitical’s Government AI Campus, is designed to help public officials understand and apply AI in government work.
The courses include “AI Fundamentals for Public Servants: Opportunities, Risks and Strategies”, “AI Leadership in Government: Building Trust, Skills and an Innovative Culture” and “Smarter Procurement with AI”.
The trainings were developed by Stanford University Online and SDA Bocconi School of Management, while Google and Apolitical are providing the learning platform and content.
The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is a G7-endorsed initiative co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy.
The initiative aligns with Italy’s Mattei Plan for Africa, while AfDB is a founding member of the AI Hub’s Executive Steering Group.
Ousmane Fall, AfDB’s Director for Industrial and Trade Development, said AI was changing how people worked and could generate significant productivity gains when properly understood and applied.
“Building that understanding in government has been neglected and this partnership helps us put that right,” Fall said.
The training is the first step toward implementing recommendations from an AfDB report titled “Africa’s AI Productivity Gain: Pathways to Labour Efficiency, Economic Growth and Inclusive Transformation”.
The report projected that inclusive AI deployment could add up to one trillion dollars to Africa’s gross domestic product by 2035.
It also identified skills and trusted governance among five key enablers required to realise the projected gains.
Keyzom Ngodup Massally, Director of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development and UNDP Head of Digital and AI Programmes, said governments across Africa needed support to strengthen the institutional and technical foundations required to participate in the AI economy.
“As the AI landscape continues to evolve, governments across Africa need timely support to strengthen the institutional and technical foundations required to participate meaningfully in the AI economy,” she said.
The learning programme is self-paced, with enrolment open and free to serving government officials and public servants in AfDB regional member countries.
It targets officials working on AI in public service delivery, digital infrastructure, public-private partnerships and innovation.
The organisers said applications for the programme were open.
M.P
Tags: AfDB Free AI training for African Public officials
