GIDE Conference

On 21 and 22 January, the Centre for Digital Culture participated in the GIDE conference on ‘The Impact of AI on Governance in Global South Countries’, which brought together different perspectives to explore how AI is used and governed in these regions. A key focus was on the unique challenges and initiatives in each area.

The GIDE conference on ‘The Impact of AI on Governance in Latin America, Africa and Asia-Pacific’ brought together different perspectives to explore how AI is used and governed in these regions. A key focus was the unique challenges and initiatives in each area.

In Latin America, the use of indigenous languages alongside official languages has presented both opportunities and challenges, particularly in ensuring the rights of indigenous peoples and their data. Africa, with its vast linguistic and cultural diversity, has faced significant obstacles such as limited access to electricity and the internet, especially in rural areas. Investment in infrastructure comes mainly from large technology providers, highlighting the need for more localised solutions. Asia-Pacific, on the other hand, has had to contend with different values and political systems, which have complicated the development and governance of AI.

The conference explored the distinctive challenges each region faces in adopting and developing AI. Latin America was categorised into leaders, adopters and explorers based on their AI implementation strategies. The region has prioritised infrastructure expansion, the creation of comprehensive AI regulatory frameworks and the improvement of education at all levels. Africa's challenges include poor labour rights and mental health issues among content moderators, with workers often bound by non-disclosure agreements. The trade union perspective emphasised the need for international regulation to address existing inequalities reinforced by AI implementation. Asia-Pacific has struggled with environmental issues, such as the cost of water for data centres and the production of hardware using rare elements. The conference also highlighted the importance of regional collaboration and the need for federated rather than universal regulation to effectively address these challenges.

The conference also examined the intersection between data protection legislation and international trade in these regions. Key points included the importance of privacy by design, security by design, and platforms for the exchange and protection of sensitive data. AI governance was explored through regulatory and technical aspects, with discussions on how to balance the protection of rights and gaining momentum to benefit from the opportunities offered by AI. The conference emphasised the need for AI sensitivity education, the adoption of AI in education, and the importance of focusing on the Global South, which constitutes a significant part of the workforce.