Unleashing the power of open-source AI: Transforming digital public services for a better tomorrow

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Unleashing the power of open-source AI: Transforming digital public services for a better tomorrow

As governments worldwide increasingly recognize the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI), ensuring ethical, sustainable, and cost-effective approaches to its implementation is paramount.

This session will delve into the crucial role of open-source AI technology and frameworks in enabling safe and efficient adoption, use, and scaling of AI-based services and applications within the public sector. It is co-organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the German Development Cooperation initiative FAIR Forward implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

The session will foster dialogue among diverse stakeholders, sharing experiences, best practices, and cooperation opportunities to enhance AI capacity in public administration. It will feature real-world use cases from Kenya, Rwanda and Estonia, offering insights into lessons learned and different stakeholder perspectives.

To further illustrate the potential of AI applications in public administration, a reference implementation of a Generic AI (GenAI) solution, leveraging open-source software and Large Language Models (LLMs), will be showcased.

A critical aspect of the discussion will be the alignment of concrete use cases, tools, and experiences with open-source AI policy considerations, including regulations, norms, and practices. In a concluding panel discussion, the session will explore approaches to fostering national and international ecosystems conducive to the emergence of ethical open-source AI tools, which can be shared and re-utilized as Digital Public Goods (DPGs).

Examining open-source AI within the framework of data governance, international standards, and DPGs, this session equips policy- and decision-makers with insights to drive impact-oriented action. By promoting AI solutions that positively impact the public sector and beyond, whilst equally highlighting risks and harms to avert, the session aims to catalyse meaningful progress towards inclusive and sustainable development goals.

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