Lab for the Ethics, Policy and Scaling of Responsible AI (LEPSAI)

 

Responsible artificial intelligence (AI) innovations have the potential to address critical development challenges in Africa and help countries and communities advance toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. However, a key insight emerging from the AI ecosystem is that there is a need to go beyond ideas and prototypes to scaled innovations that solve real-world problems.

This project will establish the Lab for the Ethics, Policy and Scaling of Responsible AI. This lab will guide a collective monitoring, evaluation and learning process to better understand how to scale responsible and inclusive AI solutions for the public good. The lab will not only fill critical knowledge gaps but will also actively support African innovators with responsible AI mentorship, a contextualized framework on implementing responsible AI, and development of use cases of promising AI solutions that are ready to scale. The lab will enhance collaboration and strengthen the AI ecosystem toward responsible and inclusive AI development.

This project is part of the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) program, a five-year partnership between IDRC and the United Kingdome’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to support policy, innovations and expanded leadership to spur safe and responsible AI development and use in Africa. The vision of the new partnership is to support an inclusive, responsible AI ecosystem that improves quality of life for all in Africa and beyond.