Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso kicks off nationwide initiative to promote responsible AI adoption and digital sovereignty

It is reported that Burkina Faso has launched a nationwide campaign to promote responsible AI adoption and digital sovereignty, marked by the inaugural Conference on the Practical Contribution of Artificial Intelligence to the Development of Burkina Faso. Organized by the Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications, the event was co-chaired by Minister Dr. Aminata Zerbo/Sabane and Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts and Tourism Pingdwendé Gilbert Ouedraogo, with participation from government officials, academics, and industry leaders. The conference initiates a national effort to educate the public on AI's opportunities and challenges, emphasizing the need for a robust ethical, legal, and institutional framework to govern AI deployment. Dr. Zerbo/Sabane highlighted AI as both a strategic opportunity and a sovereignty issue, urging collective action to integrate AI across all sectors in line with the Digital Transformation Agenda 2030.