This is the first one of a series of annual symposia that the International Joint Congress of AI, International Joint Congress of AI (IJCAI) is organizing with local partners (in this case with SACAIR in the Southern African region). The purpose of the symposium is twofold: first of all, it aims to establish a network of multidisciplinary research teams that connect the dots between existing local social challenges and the opportunities provided by AI. Most importantly, it aims to work hand in hand with the local AI research community to explore approaches to techno-diversity that are both useful for the Southern African region and, at the same time, contribute to a richer and more diverse global approach to AI research.

The new insights that AI can provide in key areas such as the Southern African economy, housing, health or energy policies will be discussed. The Chairs of the symposium will transfer the conclusions to the IJCAI AI & Social Good Special Track to direct the focus of the international AI research community towards these topics. The ultimate goal of the symposium, therefore, is to define lines of work for AI research towards what really matters in Southern Africa.

Each year the AI for Good Symposium will take place in a different location categorized as “Global South” by the United Nations, in South and Central America, Africa or Asia.

1. IJCAI – AI for Good Symposium in Southern Africa

General Programme of the IJCAI Symposium

DATE: Tuesday, 5  December 2023

Introduction to the workshop: Dr. Georgina Curto, ND-IBM Technology Ethics Lab, University of Notre Dame | Prof Frank Dignum, Umea University
Panel 1: What are the fundamental human interests in the context of South Africa? How can interdisciplinary scientific research contribute to these goals?
Presentations of project proposals from the IJCAI “AI for Good” track that explicitly address some of the UN SDG’s
Lunch
Panel 2: In specific sectors: what would AI be useful for. Differences and similarities between sectors
Breakout sessions: What are the directions in which we need to work together in the next 5 years (AI researchers + other disciplines)? In addition to data colonialism, can we talk about techno-diversity that is useful for South Africa?
Conclusions and plans for the next years

Panel 1 (invited speakers):

• Vukosi Marivate. ABSA UP Chair of Data Science at the University of Pretoria (confirmed).
• Sibusisiwe Makhanya, Senior Research Manager, IBM Research Africa (Johannesburg) (confirmed).
• Girmaw Abebe Tadesse, Principal Research Scientist and Manager at Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab, (confirmed).
• Avishkar Bhoopchand, Senior Research Engineer at DeepMind; Executive Board and co-General Chair of the 2023 Indaba (confirmed).

Panel 2 (invited speakers):

• Mark Napier, Principal Researcher at the CSIR in Pretoria, research and policy development for human settlements (confirmed).
• Thando Ndarana, Associate Professor University of Pretoria specialized in meteorology research (confirmed).
• Garth Greubel, specialist in sustainable energies in South Africa (confirmed).
• Catherine F. Botha, Professor of Philosophy, University of Johannesburg (confirmed).
• Lisa Cirolia, Senior Researcher at the African Centre for Cities, (confirmed).
• Clapperton Chakanetsa Mavhunga, Prof. of Science, Technology and Society, MIT. Author of the book What Do Science, Technology and Innovation Mean from Africa? (confirmed)

Breakout session: Designed to arrive at concrete lines of work and a platform for collaboration.

2. Panel during SACAIR Conference

TITLE: AI in Africa
DATE: Wednesday, 6 December 2023

• Emma Ruttkamp-Bloem, Professor of Philosophy University of Pretoria, Chair UNESCO World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology, Ethics of AI Lead at Centre for AI Research (confirmed).
• Clapperton Chakanetsa Mavhunga, Prof. of Science, Technology & Society, MIT. Author of the book What Do Science, Technology and Innovation Mean from Africa (confirmed)
• Vukosi Marivate. ABSA UP Chair of Data Science at the University of Pretoria (confirmed).
• Sibusisiwe Makhanya, Senior Research Manager, IBM Research Africa (Johannesburg) (confirmed).
• Girmaw Abebe Tadesse, Principal Research Scientist and Manager at Microsoft AI for Good Research Lab, (confirmed)
• Avishkar Bhoopchand, Senior Research Engineer at DeepMind; Executive Board and co-General Chair of the 2023 Indaba (confirmed)