KIGALI, Aug. 12 (Xinhua) -- The International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) High-Level Discussion on Wednesday opened in the Rwandan capital Kigali to examine autonomous and AI-enabled systems on Africa's defence and security landscape.
Held under the theme "The Rise of Autonomous Systems: Implications for Defence and Security in Africa," the one-day conference gathered policymakers, security leaders, researchers, and development partners to deliberate on emerging threats, security transformation, governance, ethics, legal and policy frameworks, and Africa's technological preparedness.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said that Africa cannot afford to fall behind as military and security technologies continue to evolve.
"We must understand the implications for our security, but also for our sovereignty and strategic autonomy. At the same time, autonomous systems also present opportunities," he noted. "They can help us respond more effectively to some of our most pressing security challenges, including terrorism, armed insurgencies and organized crime."
Nduhungirehe said that autonomous systems and artificial intelligence are increasingly accessible, including to non-state actors, which means that defence and security institutions must continuously adapt and stay ahead.
ISCA Executive Director Frank Mushyo Kamanzi said that AI and autonomous aerial, maritime and ground systems are reshaping warfare, border security, peace support operations and national defence.
"How do we ensure meaningful human oversight and accountability regarding the use of force? These questions demand collective leadership and cooperation," he said.
Mali's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdoulaye Diop said that autonomous systems are not just a technological issue or a military issue. "They are political. They are geostrategic. They require a political response," he added.
ISCA is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering dialogue, collaboration and actionable solutions to address security challenges across the African continent. ■