KIGALI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Delegates at the fourth East African Community (EAC) Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) Conference have called for the responsible development of artificial intelligence (AI) and stronger regional collaboration to drive inclusive growth and innovation.
The meeting, which opened on Monday in Kigali, Rwanda, brought together people from all walks of life, including government officials, legislators, academics, development partners, and private sector representatives, to explore AI opportunities while addressing risks related to governance, infrastructure, and skills across the region.
Speaking at the conference, Andrea Aguer Ariik Malueth, deputy secretary general for Infrastructure, Productive, Social, and Political sectors at the EAC, emphasized the transformative potential of AI for the region.
"For the East African Community, AI presents an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate regional integration, enhance productivity, and address some of our most pressing challenges, including food security, healthcare delivery, education access, climate resilience, and industrial growth," Ariik said.
Ariik said that science, technology, and innovation are at the core of the EAC's regional development agenda, stressing the need for responsible AI deployment.
"As we advance, we share a collective responsibility to ensure AI is developed and deployed responsibly; safeguarding data privacy, promoting fairness and transparency, mitigating bias, and ensuring no one is left behind, especially women, youth, and vulnerable communities," he added.
Rwanda's Minister of ICT and Innovation Paula Ingabire called for a unified regional approach, urging East African countries to act as a bloc rather than individually to maximize AI's potential. She highlighted emerging innovations across the region, including AI tools supporting farmers and platforms expanding financial inclusion.
"Our data stays in our hands; our citizens' rights are protected by our laws; our AI systems reflect our values, and the economic value generated by AI in East Africa accrues to East Africans," she said.
Ingabire emphasized that achieving this vision requires pooling research capacity, building shared data infrastructure, and developing local talent to ensure the region captures the value created by AI.
Uganda's State Minister of East African Community Affairs James Magode Ikuya underscored the importance of empowering youth as drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and job creation.
"Let this conference be a turning point. From dialogue to decisive action. Together, we can harness artificial intelligence to build East Africa that is resilient, inclusive, and innovative, and one that leaves no one behind," he said.
Held under the theme "Harnessing AI for a Resilient, Inclusive, and Innovative East Africa," participants called for urgent action to address skills gaps, infrastructure readiness, governance frameworks, and regulatory preparedness, while accelerating regional integration and sustainable development.
The conference, which runs through Wednesday, is expected to boost networking, partnerships, and multi-stakeholder collaboration within the regional AI ecosystem, while providing a platform to showcase AI-driven solutions, according to organizers. ■
