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Virtual Expert Group Meeting: Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Government: Perspectives for Caribbean SIDS

17 de septiembre de 2024|Evento
CEPAL - Caribe

The ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean will convene an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) to consider elements of artificial intelligence readiness and digital government strategies for Caribbean countries, taking into consideration their special circumstances as Small Island Developing States (SIDS). It will also include a discussion of the draft study: “Caribbean artificial intelligence readiness: an exploratory review”, which aims to provide a preliminary analysis of AI readiness for the Caribbean based on key dimensions and provide some recommendations to policymakers. Taking into consideration the unique opportunities and challenges that the integration of AI into digital governance presents, the meeting is primarily oriented towards policymakers and decision makers working with digital transformation and artificial intelligence-related issues in the Caribbean.

Background:

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly evolving tool that has recently begun to become widely available and used. For Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), the integration of AI into digital governance presents unique opportunities and challenges. Policymakers worldwide are seeking ways to use these powerful tools for sustainable development. One such way is in the advancement of digital government strategies, which uses technology as a strategic driver to improve public sector efficiency and make governments more open, innovative, participatory and trustworthy.

However, while many potential benefits exist, the use of AI also carries risks.  The World Economic Forum Global Risks Report 2024 notes adverse outcomes of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies as a top ten, long-term, global risk humanity is facing and warns that the development of AI could widen the digital gap between high- and low-income countries, leaving vulnerable countries digitally isolated.   This is particularly concerning for Caribbean SIDS, where digital infrastructure and readiness levels vary, potentially exacerbating existing vulnerabilities and widening the digital gap between high- and low-income countries. In order to mitigate these risks and harness the benefits, appropriate strategies and structures must be implemented.

The Expert Group Meeting, which will be convened virtually via Zoom on Tuesday 17 September 2024 from 0930 hrs to 1200 noon (UTC-4), will discuss elements of artificial intelligence readiness and digital government strategies for Caribbean countries, taking into account their special circumstances as SIDS. It will also include a discussion of the draft study: “Caribbean artificial intelligence readiness: an exploratory review”, which aims to provide a preliminary analysis of AI readiness for the Caribbean based on key dimensions and provide some recommendations to policymakers.

PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME

0930 hrs – 0945 hrs

Opening of the meeting

  • Welcome Remarks: Lika Døhl Diouf, Associate Programme Management officer, ECLAC, subregional headquarters for the Caribbean
  • Welcome Remarks: Diane Quarless, Director, ECLAC, subregional headquarters for the Caribbean
0945 hrs – 1015 hrs

Caribbean AI Readiness

  • Presentation of study entitiled "Caribbean AI readiness: An exploratory review": Dale Alexander, Chief, Caribbean Knowledge Management Centre (CKMC), ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean (15 minutes)
  • Discussion (15 minutes)
1015 hrs – 1105 hrs

Panel 1:  Advancing the adoption of AI in Latin America and the Caribbean

Lika Døhl Diouf, Associate Programme Management officer, ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean (Moderator)

  • Engaging the Caribbean:  Nigel Cassimire, Deputy Secretary-General & Head of Regional Policy Development, Caribbean Telecommunications Union (CTU) (10 minutes)
  • Engaging Latin America:  Sebastian Rovira, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, ECLAC Headquarters, Chile (10 minutes)
  • UNESCO’s Caribbean AI roadmap:  Paul G.C. Hector (PhD), Advisor for Communication and Information, UNESCO Office for the Caribbean (10 minutes)
  • Recommendation on the ethics of AI:  Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM):  Paula Isturiz Cavero, Programme Specialist and Head, Social and Human Sciences Sector, UNESCO Office for the Caribbean (10 minutes)
  • Discussion (10 Minutes)
1105 hrs – 1110 hrs
Break (Mentimeter)
1110 hrs – 1150 hrs

Panel 2:  Digital Government to Smart Government

Lika Døhl Diouf, Associate Programme Management officer, ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean (Moderator)

  • From Digital Government to Smart Government:  Valeria Torres, Chief, Public Management and Open Government Area, Latin American and Caribbean Institute for Economic and Social Planning (ILPES), ECLAC Headquarters, Chile  (10 minutes)
  • Changing mindsets to advance digital transformation:  Cristina Rodriguez-Acosta, Inter-Regional Adviser on Governance and Public Administration, Division for Public Institutions and Digital Government (DPIDG)/(United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) (10 Minutes)
  • Harnessing AI to create public value in the Caribbean:  Dale Alexander, Chief, Caribbean Knowledge Management Centre (CKMC), ECLAC subregional headquarters for the Caribbean (10 Minutes)
  • Discussion (10 Minutes)
1150 hrs – 1155 hrs Notification of high-level meeting on the information society in Latin America and the Caribbean:  Sebastian Rovira, Senior Economic Affairs Officer, ECLAC Headquarters, Chile
1155 hrs – 12 noon

Closing remarks

Lika Døhl Diouf, Associate Programme Management officer, ECLAC, subregional headquarters for the Caribbean

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