« Current AI »: The global partnership for AI in the public interest 🤖

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AI is rapidly evolving and transforming numerous sectors worldwide. In response to this transformation, governments, organizations, and companies have launched a new partnership called Current AI. Its goal is to promote AI that serves the public interest. This initiative was unveiled at the Summit for Action on Artificial Intelligence in Paris. It is backed by an initial funding of $400 million, with an ambition to reach $2.5 billion over the next five years to support inclusive and responsible projects.

An ambitious funding plan and leading partners 💰

From its inception, Current AI has received support from several influential players. The French government, alongside companies such as Google and Salesforce, as well as philanthropic foundations like the MacArthur Foundation and the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, are among the main investors. Additionally, the initiative has already gained the support of several countries, including Germany, Finland, Chile, and Nigeria.

This broad international commitment demonstrates a shared interest in developing AI that is more open, accessible, and beneficial to all. To ensure the project’s credibility, a group of influential figures in the technology sector, including Reid Hoffman (co-founder of LinkedIn) and Arthur Mensch (CEO of Mistral AI), have signed an open letter in support of the partnership.

Three priority areas of action🎯

To ensure AI aligns with the public interest, Current AI focuses its efforts on three major pillars:

1. Open and accessible data : One of the main challenges in AI development is access to high-quality datasets. This is why Current AI aims to expand access to datasets, whether public or private, in key areas such as healthcare, education, and media.
2. Open and inclusive technologies : The partnership also seeks to promote the development of open-source tools and infrastructures. This approach ensures that AI remains transparent and adaptable to the needs of different societies.
3. Regulation and transparency : Finally, Current AI will implement mechanisms to ensure effective oversight of developed technologies. The goal is to establish standards for auditing and ethics, ensuring that AI adheres to principles of responsibility and security.

An opportunity for Africa 🌍

Morocco, Kenya, and Nigeria are among the African countries that have joined the initiative. As these nations undergo digital transformation, Current AI presents a major opportunity. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), AI can significantly improve the efficiency of public services by automating certain administrative tasks and reducing bureaucratic slowdowns.

However, despite their commitment to innovation, these countries face challenges in digital development. The 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI) ranks Morocco with a score of 0.6841, Kenya at 0.6314, and Nigeria at 0.4815, all below the global average of 0.6382. These figures highlight the need for additional investments to bridge these gaps and maximize the impact of new technologies.

Towards ethical and inclusive AI ⚖️

With Current AI, the project leaders hope to steer AI development toward a more ethical and inclusive approach. Emmanuel Macron has emphasized that this initiative could help diversify the AI market while fostering innovation more equitably worldwide.

Ultimately, the partnership aims to establish a global framework that promotes the sharing of knowledge and resources. By placing humans at the center of technological development, Current AI could play a crucial role in building a more responsible digital future.

Do you think this type of partnership is enough to ensure more ethical and accessible AI? Let us know in the comments!