The Rwanda Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution (Rwanda C4IR) and United Arab Emirates Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (UAE C4IR) have launched The C4IR AI Fellowship Program, a platform that aims to bridge the gap between Artificial Intelligence (AI) industry leaders, innovators, and experts across the globe. The knowledge exchange platform was announced during the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2024 on January 18. It was activated under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Rwanda C4IR and UAE C4IR. ALSO READ: Rwanda launches center for fourth industrial revolution More centres from around the world are expected to join the programme to create a global, interconnected community of AI practitioners. The community seeks not only to share knowledge but also collectively address the challenges facing AI implementation and policy, ultimately steering the future direction of AI for a more inclusive and sustainable world. Paula Ingabire, the Minister of ICT and Innovation, who signed the MoU on behalf of Rwanda C4IR, welcomed the initiative. “We are excited to be a part of the AI Fellowship Program with our colleagues in the UAE. Rwanda is committed to leveraging AI to drive equitable transformation, fostering a community of AI practitioners who are equipped to tackle the unique challenges of our time. Through collaboration and shared expertise, we aim to drive innovation and shape the future of AI, making it an inclusive and ethical tool that benefits all,” she said. ALSO READ: Rwanda to become hub for AI research in Africa Recognising the unique challenges and opportunities in the AI landscape, the newly launched programme also seeks to offer customised sessions that delve into AI applications, research, and developments, with a particular focus on the specific expertise of each participating centre. The approach ensures that every discussion, workshop, and collaborative initiative is highly relevant to the participants. Khalfan Belhoul, CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, which oversees UAE C4IR, said, “This initiative will create an integrated global community of leading AI experts to work collectively to solve challenges in the field. They will cooperate to develop innovative policies and legislation that keep pace with rapid advances in technology.” He added, “This global programme will focus on knowledge exchange with the C4IR network around the world. It will help pool the knowledge gained during the development of AI projects around the world to accelerate progress and deepen impact.” ALSO READ: ICT Minister on why Zipline, AI matter for Rwanda’s healthcare It is expected that joint workshops will be organised as part of the programme to enhance innovation in AI applications, promote the adoption of lateral thinking, and develop innovative solutions using the latest technologies. The workshops seek to delve into the ethical considerations, management structures, and policy frameworks that govern the uses of AI. The newly launched AI Fellowship Program is also expected to support participating C4IRs to develop projects that employ AI to create societal impact, as well as provide them with the opportunity to participate in global AI events. The Rwanda C4IR was officially launched in March 2022, following a partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Innovation and the World Economic Forum. The development is part of the efforts to position Rwanda as a proof-of-concept hub and an enabler of the innovation and startup ecosystem.
