Description:

Artificial Intelligence is undoubtedly affecting the entire world, but the distribution of its benefits and risks is uneven, with a handful of private sector actors and states reaping most of the benefits of AI development, while other countries bear most of the risks. As the global ‘digital canyon’ widens, we run the risk of relegating the Global South to the role of the role of consumers and data providers, marginalizing their perspectives and specific needs in shaping AI applications and policies. The expanding "digital canyon" exacerbates global disparities and poses a threat to the attainment of SDGs, underscoring the pressing need to address inequalities in representation in global AI governance frameworks and mechanisms. The MBRSG, with the support of google.org, is conducting a yearlong research project into the specific challenges and opportunities for integration of the MENA region into global AI governance frameworks and potential ways to drive the competitiveness of the AI ecosystem in the region. We will use this workshop as a platform to share some of the important findings of this research and to kick off a discussion with discussants from critical sectors. This workshop focuses on the challenges and opportunities of integrating the Global South, particularly the MENA region, into global AI governance frameworks. Discussants from academia, technical community, and the private sector will come together to discuss the role of local governments, international organizations, and technology companies in ensuring the equal participation of all countries in global AI governance frameworks to make representation and oversight mechanisms more inclusive, to ensure accountability, improve representativeness and mitigate bias in AI algorithms, and ensure access to resources and data.