Rapid advances in artificial intelligence technologies are revolutionising the way we socialise, learn, or work. As we race to harness AI’s potential, it is important that we find strategies for proactively addressing safety risks, ethical implications, equity concerns, and reliability challenges throughout AI development and deployment. The Community of Practice (COP) for Equitable AI Solutions in the Global South is a dynamic, interdisciplinary platform that brings together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and industry stakeholders. Its core mission is to inform the responsible and human-centric development of AI so as to harness it to address socio-economic challenges unique to the Global South by fostering innovative, ethical, and context-sensitive solutions.

Key Objectives of the COP

• Facilitate Cross-Sector Dialogues: Establish a collaborative space that encourages robust interactions among diverse experts, enabling the identification of priority areas for AI development tailored to local realities.
• Enhance Research and Practice: Support the conceptualisation and execution of research projects that integrate ethical frameworks, data sovereignty, and locally driven innovation—translating scholarly insights into practical, real-world applications.
• Build Capacity: Focus on strengthening AI awareness and proficiency through targeted training and practical exercises, ensuring that our team remains at the cutting edge of AI methodologies and applications.
• Drive Targeted Skills Development: Develop and deliver AI skills development programs that are designed to meet the specific needs of Global South communities, thereby reducing dependency on external technologies while fostering local expertise.
• Advance Policy Innovation: Produce evidence-based policy briefs and collaborative research outputs that inform and shape AI governance and socio-economic policies across the region.

Past Activities

Over the past period, our Community of Practice has engaged in a series of thoughtfully designed events and initiatives that have contributed meaningfully to the advancement of equitable AI solutions. Our AI skills development roadshows, hosted at diverse venues and delivered through various formats, have provided practical training on ethical AI usage while addressing community-specific needs—from supporting informal entrepreneurs to empowering paralegal workers and enhancing ethical research practices. In addition, our collaborative research efforts have led to impactful publications and policy briefs that offer balanced recommendations for responsible AI governance. We remain modest in our progress, yet every achievement has strengthened our commitment to fostering sustainable, inclusive socio-economic development in the Global South.

Future Plans

Looking ahead, our research and events will build on the foundation laid by current research activities in AI. We will continue the momentum of our AI skills development Roadshow by expanding its reach into underserved communities and refining our hands-on training modules. Simultaneously, we are developing new AI tools—including an AI-powered career guidance app—that leverage diverse data sources and digital storytelling to offer tailored, context-specific insights. These initiatives aim to bridge the gap between informal and formal sectors, promoting sustainable socio-economic development in the Global South while upholding our commitment to ethical and inclusive AI practices.

Call to Join

Individuals and organisations working in the AI space who are interested in leveraging its capabilities to promote socio-economic development in the Global South are invited to join our collaborative network. For further information and to become part of this transformative initiative, please reach out to Krish Chetty, Senior Research Manager at HSRC, at kchetty@hsrc.ac.za.