Group photo taken at the virtual mentors training session facilitated by ACAII, Ladysmith Collective and Gender at work colleagues
ACTS in collaboration with Gender at Work, Ladysmith Collection and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) through the Artificial Intelligence for Development Africa Program have kicked off the Scaling Responsible Artificial Intelligence Solutions (SRAIS) mentorship training program. The program seeks to develop the capacity of AI innovators in Africa to not only scale their solutions but do so ethically.
Through this program, expert mentors will guide innovators on responsible AI and how it connects to human rights, and the principles of gender equality, diversity, and inclusivity. The program will also explore strategies for scaling AI responsibly and gain access to essential responsible AI toolkits.
This program adopts a case-based learning approach, where real AI solutions developed by participating teams will be used as study cases to provide hands-on learning. Each AI team will be paired with expert mentors who will provide personalized support, helping them navigate the complexities of ethical AI deployment. Throughout the mentorship period, AI teams will engage in regular one-on-one mentorship sessions, while mentors will also hold monthly meetings to exchange insights and address challenges.
At the end of the mentorship program, the most promising teams including networking opportunities, market research, data collection support, and/or access to computational resources.
Furthermore, the initiative will facilitate interactions between AI developers and end-users, such as school students, to gather feedback and refine solutions. Collaborative workshops and innovation contests will also be organised, fostering a dynamic ecosystem where AI teams, mentors, and innovation hubs can share knowledge and explore high-value collaborative initiatives.
Related Resources
- AI4D Innovation Pillar project – SRAIS Mentorship – ACTS | African Centre for Technology Studies
- AI4D Reports
For more information about the program, please contact Grace Leah via gokundi[@]acts-net.org
