I am pleased to join you today.

We have gathered here, at the A.I. For Good Summit, because of our strong commitment to make artificial intelligence safer, and more accessible. Artificial intelligence has the power to transform lives and strengthen economies.

ITU is demonstrating that it is possible to build A.I. into a force for global equity. I take this opportunity to commend Doreen Bogdan-Martin for her outstanding leadership at the helm of this institution.

The challenges ahead of us are evident. Geopolitical rivalries have turned technology into a competition. This diverts attention from how A.I. tools can speed up development. At the same time, there are many answers we still don’t have about artificial intelligence, which creates uncertainty about the future.

However, despite the gaps, we must remain optimistic. It is our responsibility to turn the obstacles, into opportunities that can serve all of us as we go forward.

Africa is well-positioned to contribute to the digital economy. By 2050, our continent will have the largest and fastest-growing workforce in the world. There are many success stories, about what our young people are doing on the continent with artificial intelligence. We have to invest in them. It will be a win-win for everyone.

The bottom line, is that for A.I. to serve humanity as a whole, we must get it right in Africa and everywhere else.

Allow me to highlight three areas we should prioritize.

First, is infrastructure. Computational power, connectivity, and energy must be more readily accessible. This is a task for governments and the private sector – working together.

Second, is skills development. Talent exists everywhere, but the opportunity to use it does not. Our educational institutions must constantly re-evaluate the courses they offer.

Third, is accountability. A.I. governance structures should build trust and transparency, not further divide us.

In Rwanda, we have set up the Health Intelligence Centre, which collects real-time data across our healthcare system, and uses A.I. to predict disease outbreaks. This allows us to make better policy decisions.

The Smart Africa Board, which I am honoured to chair, last year established the Africa A.I. Council. Today, we are also launching the A.I. for Good Global Commission.

Bridging the connectivity gap has always been our top priority. But now, we have to pivot. To invest in artificial intelligence, is to secure our future and that of the generations coming after us. This new technology is moving fast, and we cannot afford to lag behind.

We must be intentional about designing, funding and governing A.I. so that it can reach its full potential.

In Africa, we are no longer satisfied to be passive consumers of technology. We want to build and deploy it at scale. Our objectives are clear, and we will continue working together to achieve them.

I thank you for your kind attention.