Call for applications – META has provided bursary funding to support the attendance of emerging researchers at the AI4D Conference (supported by the IDRC, Niyel and GIZ: Fair Forward), to be held in Kigali, June 12-14, 2023.

The African Observatory on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (African Observatory) is a project of Research ICT Africa (RIA), which is part of the Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) Africa funding program supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

META has kindly provided funding to support the attendance of emerging researchers at the AI4D Conference (supported by IDRC, Niyel and GIZ: Fair Forward), to be held in Kigali, June 12-14. The bursary funding will serve as a means to assist in building professional profiles and includes travel for up to 8 awardees to attend the conference and to present their research at a session that will be attended by the AI4D community and leading researchers from around the African continent.

About Observatory on Responsible Artificial Intelligence

Established in 2022, the African Observatory on Responsible Artificial Intelligence (the African Observatory) has recognized the need to promote African voices, experiences and value systems in global debate around responsible AI.

Scholars in the social sciences and humanities are emphasizing that an ‘African’ view on AI and AI ethics is critical for ensuring that the development and adoption of these new technologies supports, and is not harmful to, African societies and ways of living.

The African Observatory takes a special focus on the foundational elements of inclusive and responsible AI governance, particularly as it relates to Africa’s (pre/post) colonial memory and in the context of our diverse democratic, constitutional and legal mechanisms of accountability.

The African Observatory aims to be an open space of engagement, collaboration and critical inquiry on AI in diverse African societies, by enhancing positive impacts and mitigating the negative effects of AI through rigorous research, network facilitation, policy capacity building and public engagement.

We advance policies and practices that support diverse African societies to safely and fairly (responsibly) harness the benefits of AI in realization of Africa’s development goals.

Requirements for African Observatory Bursaries Qualification

• This call is specifically for emerging researchers who do not yet have a PhD and are committed to working on AI ethics/human rights and policy/governance in African research.
• The African Observatory will also be looking to support the publication of the awardees’ work and provide ongoing mentorship to all awardees.
• At the conference, awardees will be invited to participate on a panel with the other awardees and to present a short paper based on their proposed area of research. Awardees will also be requested to provide a blog post to be added to the African Observatory Website reflecting their experience at the AI4D Conference.

Interview date, Process and Venue for African Observatory Bursaries

Applications will be reviewed by an independent and representative panel consisting of leading experts in AI ethics and policy from across Africa.

The awardees will be contacted via email in early May on the outcome of their application, and an announcement of the awardees shall be made via a blog post on the African Observatory Website.

Documents Required for Application

1. Details of your professional experience to date (CV)
2. A brief motivation for attending the event (500 words)
3. An abstract of the work you intend to present (300 words)

Application Deadline: April 7, 2023

How to Apply