Watch the full interview:
Dr. Georgina Curto, Senior Researcher and Team Lead at the United Nations University Institute in Macau, shares insights from her Nature Africa article, Africa Leading the Global Effort for AI That Works for All. Drawing on the work of grassroots AI communities across Africa, she explores how locally driven innovation ecosystems are creating more inclusive, socially impactful, and context-aware approaches to artificial intelligence.
In the interview with Carmen Che, communications fellow at UNU Macau, Dr. Curto highlights how initiatives such as Deep Learning Indaba are advancing capacity building, fostering local talent, and applying AI to challenges ranging from health and financial inclusion to climate resilience and sustainable development. By moving beyond conventional measures of technological progress, they demonstrate how AI can be aligned with human well-being and community needs.
The conversation further examines the importance of equitable and bidirectional global collaboration in shaping the future of AI. As African researchers, entrepreneurs, and communities take on increasingly leadership roles, their experiences offer valuable lessons for building more inclusive innovation ecosystems and ensuring that AI works for all.
