Programme
The overarching theme is how to further digital sovereignty and rights towards dignified cohabitation in the global digital realm. The innovation is to foster a cross continental community that promotes a healthy exchange and publication of ideas in relation to digital sovereignty and rights. Considering the prevalence of voices from the Global North in AI and digital sovereignty debates, the objective is also to amplify the voice of African researchers in this space.
The panel titles are as follows:
- Current Data and AI Regulation in Africa
- Human Rights and Digital Freedoms: Misinformation, identification, politics and security
- AI, Connectivity, Regulation and Development
- Digital Colonialism: Big tech, algorithmic bias and cultural preservation
- Digital Skills, Entrepreneurship and Education
- Labour Markets and Digital Impacts on Social Welfare
- Harmonisation of Digital Regulation in Africa: Desirable, necessary or neither?
- Geopolitical Aspects of Digital Sovereignty
| Day | Time | Session | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Morning | Welcome | Opening Remarks and Plenary |
| Panel A | Current Data and AI Regulation in Africa | ||
| Panel B | Human Rights and Digital Freedoms | ||
| Afternoon | Panel C | Connectivity, Regulation and Development | |
| Panel D | Digital Colonialism: Big Tech, Algorithmic Bias and Cultural Preservation | ||
| Day 2 | Morning | Panel E | Harmonisation of digital regulation in Africa: Desirable, necessary or neither? |
| Panel F | Geopolitical aspects of digital sovereignty | ||
| Afternoon | Visit A | Data Centre Rondenbosch | |
| Day 3 | Morning | Panel G | Digital Skills and Education |
| Panel H | Misinformation, identification, politics and security | ||
| Afternoon | Visit B | Fibre-Optic Cable Landing Station or Undersea Data Cable Repair Ship (circumstances permitting) | |
| Visit C | Waterfront visit | ||
| Day 4 | Morning | Visit D | Philippi Village (Converted cement factory that is home to a diverse community of entrepreneurs and small business owners) |
| World Cafe | Small group conversations at Philippi Village with a mix of conference participants and digital entrepreneurs/digital rights activists | ||
| Afternoon | Ethnocharette | Reflection and ideas sharing to cross-fertilise ideas with a view to the special issue |