The Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA) held a discussion forum on Wednesday, emphasizing the growing need for Ethiopia to adopt national policies regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI) as its global influence rises.

Acknowledging AI's significant impact on international relations, IFA Director-General Jafar Bedru highlighted the Ethiopian government's efforts to explore policy options to harness AI's benefits effectively. Jafar underlined the dual nature of AI's impact, recognizing both challenges and potential benefits for developing nations like Ethiopia. He emphasized the IFA's role in strategizing how to navigate these complexities and secure equitable advantages from AI advancements. He stressed the need for policies addressing the multifaceted issues AI presents, acknowledging the potential for development disparity and dominance by certain countries.

Ambassador Eshete Tilahun from the Foreign Affairs Office echoed concerns about AI's potential to exacerbate global inequalities, particularly regarding its use by advanced nations in military and diplomatic spheres.

Increased insecurity, cyber threats, and misinformation were cited as threats of the sector and a robust legal framework to manage these issues was suggested. Eshete noted ongoing international negotiations towards a global legal framework for AI under the United Nations' auspices. He emphasized the importance of Ethiopia's active participation and benefit-sharing in these processes. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closely monitoring these developments to revise national legislation and lay the groundwork for Ethiopia's involvement in these global dialogues.

Source: The Ethiopian Herald