by Phumla Mkize
Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) AI Hub Acting Director, Prof Anish Kurien, forms part of a 17-strong delegation led by Communications and Digital Technologies Deputy Minister, Mondli Gungubele, at the AI Action Summit in Paris, France.
The summit, taking place on 10 and 11 February, brings together heads of states and governments, corporations, research institutions, start-ups and civil society from more than 100 countries around the world to talk about AI and its influence in society.
Prof Kurien is one of three experts from South Africa’s public universities who has been invited to attend the summit.
The TUT AI Hub is one of four AI hubs of the AI Institute of South Africa, an initiative of the national Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.
Building up to the AI Action Summit week, which is being held at the Grand Palais in Paris, the Institut Polytechnique de Paris hosted an international conference on AI, Science and Society on 6 and 7 February. Experts in AI, natural sciences, and social sciences discussed developments in AI in various fields and explored the conditions that enable responsible integration of AI in society.
The AI, Science and Society conference also reflected on the challenges AI poses, particularly as it relates to its ability to push the frontiers of knowledge, while ensuring that it still serves the interests and wellbeing of the public.
“There are various side events that are particularly beneficial for TUT to interact with potential partners and collaborators including researchers, universities and world industry leaders. Our interest as TUT at these side events is on the cutting-edge developments taking place in AI that are being led by big industrial partners such as Facebook’s Meta, Google's DeepMind and other AI industry leaders. The events also provide an opportunity to engage with potential collaborators,” said Prof Kurien.
The AI Action Summit comprises presentations and roundtables focused on themes around public interest AI, future of work, trust in AI, global governance, innovation and culture.
Deputy Minister Gungubele is scheduled to speak at The Africa AI Village, a side event to showcase developments in Africa, taking place on 10 and 11 February at the Crédit Municipal de Paris.
The summit of heads of state and government takes place on 11 February.
Prof Anish Kurien, Acting Director for TUT's AI Hub