Graça Machel, a renowned African stateswoman and humanitarian, met with Dr David Moinina Sengeh, Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer, at the first Artificial Intelligence and Human Development Convening. They discussed the role of a human-centred approach to AI in accelerating sustainable development across the continent and in support of Sierra Leone’s national priorities.
The high-level bilateral meeting on Saturday, led by UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, was intended to foster African leadership in AI, utilise emerging technologies responsibly and align innovation with the public interest and human dignity. The two leaders discussed governance, ethics, equity and practical ways in which governments can leverage AI for development.
“It was both intellectually stimulating and personally meaningful,” Dr Sengeh said. He said: “She has been a mentor and inspiration to me since my teenage years, including when I served as Sierra Leone’s Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education. “Today’s discussion provided new insights into the opportunities and responsibilities that come with the rapid development of AI and reinforced the importance of anchoring innovation in human values,” he said.
Mrs Machel called for AI to be infused into the African philosophy of Ubuntu, “I am because we are”, saying that the best AI systems are those that are grounded in shared human knowledge, collective experience and ethical responsibility. She argued that technological progress should be at the service of humanity, with greater compassion, less inequality and opportunities for all. She called for visionary political leadership to shape AI governance in ways that advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
Both leaders pointed to common priorities including education, youth empowerment, gender equality, responsible innovation and sustainable development. They discussed the potential of AI to improve the delivery of public services, strengthen digital governance, facilitate technology-driven learning, and create new opportunities for youth employment and innovation in Africa.
One of the major issues brought up in the meeting was the lack of knowledge of AI among political leaders and policymakers. Mrs Machel warned that this knowledge gap is a major challenge to the safe, inclusive and equitable deployment of AI technologies. She called for constant dialogue, more institutional capacity and informed leadership to equip governments to make good choices on regulation, procurement and use of AI in the public sector.
The discussion was also closely linked to Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers agenda. The role of investments in AI and digital technologies to drive human capital development, expand access to technology-enabled learning, improve delivery of public services and unlock inclusive economic transformation was discussed by Dr Sengeh and Mrs Machel. The meeting re-emphasised the Government’s commitment to position Sierra Leone to benefit from emerging technologies and protect the public interest.
Both leaders are optimistic that Africa can lead the way in defining the future of AI through ethical leadership, strategic partnerships and people-centred innovation. If the right policies, capacity building and cross-sector collaboration are in place, AI can be harnessed as a force for good, driving economic transformation and sustainable prosperity, leaving no one behind.
The two-way engagement concluded with a mutual pledge to enhance African agency in international discussions on artificial intelligence and to harness technical advancements for the benefit of communities, the advancement of equity and the safeguarding of human dignity throughout the continent.
