Discussing about leveraging Artificial Intelligence for Good at Charles Telfair Centre

On Tuesday 10 December 2024, I participated in a panel discussion on “Leveraging AI for Good: Shaping a Responsible Future.” The session explored the opportunities and challenges associated with the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to drive progress and prosperity. Key topics of discussion included ethical alignment, environmental sustainability, and fostering a balanced relationship between humans and machines.

The panel was organised by the Charles Telfair Centre, a think tank hosted by Charles Telfair Education / Curtin Mauritius. I was invited to share my perspectives, insights, and expertise on this multifaceted subject. During my remarks, I emphasised that emerging technologies like AI should be seen as enablers rather than ends in themselves. Achieving national goals begins with a clear vision and, importantly, with the development of “smart citizens.” I suggested that every subsystem within the broader system of Mauritius — including education, the public sector, the private sector (including startups), international organisations, and civil society — must contribute solutions that, when integrated, drive the nation toward its objectives.

Concrete examples of AI’s potential impact include digital assistants to support students, teachers, and individuals in need of reskilling or upskilling amid shifts in job demands. Other possibilities include evidence-based decision-making systems for government and the private sector, as well as repositories of proven open-source solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

I stressed the vital role of the private sector in implementing such solutions, as governments often lack the manpower to execute them fully. This underscores the need for a collaborative approach and the inclusion of end-users through a design-thinking methodology to increase the likelihood of success. I highlighted the importance of sharing information about AI’s capabilities and limitations to decision-makers, as well as the need for ethical oversight and effective regulation to ensure AI serves the best interests of the nation and its citizens.

I extend my thanks to Jérémy Charoux, Executive Director of Curtin Mauritius, and Myriam Blin, Head of the Charles Telfair Centre, for inviting me to be part of this significant conversation. The panel was moderated by Marc Israel, CEO of Aetheis, with insightful contributions from Alex Jenkins, Director of the WA Data Science Innovation Hub supported by Curtin University in Australia; Nadine Viger, General Manager of Eclosia Technology Services; and Marion Rivet, Branch Manager of Baker Lab Mauritius. The panel was followed by a very interesting Q&A session.