Algerian Radio
The Minister of Post and Telecommunications, Sid Ali Zerrouki, took part in the first installation meeting of the African Artificial Intelligence Council under the "Smart Africa" Alliance, following his appointment as a member of this high-level continental body, the ministry announced in a statement on Saturday.
"This meeting, in which the minister participated via videoconference, brought together ministers and experts from different regions of the African continent," the statement specified, highlighting that this appointment was made from among "226 eminent figures, including 54 ministers, as the Council is composed of only 15 members."
The Council members were selected by a tripartite committee composed of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the African Union (AU), and the "Smart Africa" Alliance, the same source added.
The meeting provided an opportunity to present and discuss the roadmap for the implementation of the African Artificial Intelligence Council, as well as the mechanisms for executing the African strategy on artificial intelligence. The goal is to ensure the accelerated adoption of these technologies at the continental level through a "responsible, comprehensive, and sovereign approach, serving the interests of African peoples," the statement noted.
"The annual schedule of Council meetings was discussed, with the definition of key stages and the consideration of creating specialized technical working groups."
On this occasion, Mr. Zerrouki reaffirmed "Algeria's commitment to contributing effectively to the development of policies and strategic and regulatory frameworks regarding the governance of artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure, as well as strengthening cooperation with brotherly African countries in the fields of innovation, capacity building, and human skills development," according to the same source.
