Page 64 - AI Governance Day - From Principles to Implementation

AI Governance Day - From Principles to Implementation

Moderator:

– Robert F. Trager, Professor, University of Oxford.

This panel discussion underscored the multifaceted nature of AI governance. While the benefits
of AI in sectors like healthcare, education, and finance are immense, the associated risks,
particularly in cybersecurity and data privacy, require careful management. A collaborative
approach, rooted in international standards and adapted to local contexts, appears to be
the most promising path forward. As nations like Namibia, Uruguay, and India continue to
navigate this complex landscape, their experiences and strategies offer lessons for the global
community.

Namibia: leveraging AI for development and addressing cyberthreats

Her Excellency Ms. Minister Emma Inamutila Theofelus emphasized the dual nature of AI as
both a potential boon and a threat.

Namibia's challenge is providing services across vast distances in a sparsely populated country
– only 3 million people spread over 825 000 square kilometers [Editor: about twice the area
of California].
Ms. Theofelus pointed to healthcare as a sector where AI can make a substantial impact. By
analyzing data from censuses and routine data collection, AI can help prioritize the placement of
healthcare facilities, such as dialysis centers and cancer wards, where they are most needed. This
data-driven approach can save lives, optimize investments, and ensure the healthcare system
operates efficiently. In education, AI could bridge the gap between current skills and future
industry demands by forecasting which skills will be needed and training students accordingly.

However, Ms. Theofelus also noted the risks associated with AI, particularly in the realm of
cybersecurity. Namibia experiences around 2.7 million cyber attacks, especially in the financial
sector. She stressed the need for increased digital literacy among citizens to protect themselves
online.

"We cannot reach every single person because there are barriers in terms of distance
[and] barriers in terms of rolling out facilities for them to get trained." (Emma
Inamutila Theofelus)

AI could help overcome these barriers by providing personalized training programs in local
languages.

On the importance of international governance frameworks and collaborative efforts to
address the global nature of AI challenges, Ms. Theofelus advocated for a unified approach,
emphasizing that disparate frameworks can be confusing and counterproductive. She stressed
the need for consensus on common principles and values that can be adapted to the specific
contexts of different countries.

54