Bank Windhoek’s Annual Stakeholder Engagement Session focused on the impact of AI in Africa. Key speakers advocated for the strategic development of AI to ensure it serves local needs and promotes sovereignty. Emphasis was placed on ethical practices and the importance of local data in shaping an AI-driven future that benefits the continent.
Bank Windhoek held its Annual Stakeholder Engagement Session at the Hilton Hotel in Windhoek, emphasizing the significant role of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping Africa’s future. The discussions highlighted how AI is transforming various industries and the essential decisions facing the continent’s development. Baronice Hans, Managing Director of Bank Windhoek, underscored the importance of strategically harnessing AI for sovereignty and sustainable growth in Africa.
During her address, Hans remarked, “Africa stands at the crossroads of this revolution. The decisions we make today will echo for generations to come. We must not simply adopt AI but shape, define, and ensure that it serves our people, economies, and aspirations.” She reinforced the bank’s commitment to developing AI-driven solutions that uphold core values of integrity and trust while ensuring data privacy and expanding access to financial services.
The keynote speaker, Seydina Moussa Ndiaye, a Programme Director at the University of Numerique in Senegal and a member of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI, presented on the necessity for Africa to craft its own AI strategies to safeguard sovereignty. Ndiaye stated, “When AI is built with local data and is uniquely tailored to the African context, including culture and way of thinking, AI can solve African problems across various sectors.”
Dr. Ndiaye emphasized the importance of transitioning from AI consumption to production within Africa, noting the central role data plays in this process. He argued for the banking sector’s aggressive adoption of ethical AI practices to enhance trust and competitiveness in a rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Ryan Geyser, Digital Data and Customer Transformation Executive Officer at Bank Windhoek, echoed the urgency of AI’s impact on Africa’s future. He stated, “We must continue to collaborate, learn, and take decisive action to shape our AI-driven future that is inclusive, ethical, and beneficial to all.” Geyser concluded with a call to focus on local solutions, mentioning, “AI gives us an avenue to explore that possibility.”
The event gathered stakeholders from various sectors, reinforcing Bank Windhoek’s mission to serve as agents of positive change and to partner with customers to enhance the value of their businesses in a global economy.
The discussions at Bank Windhoek’s Annual Stakeholder Engagement Session illuminate the pivotal role of AI in transforming Africa. Key leaders have called for strategic development of AI to ensure it serves the continent’s unique needs, promotes sovereignty, and drives sustainable growth. The emphasis on local data, ethical practices, and collaboration signals a commitment to shaping a future where AI benefits all Africans.
Original Source: economist.com.na
