Rwanda becomes first African country to launch centre dedicated to artificial intelligence

Necessity is the mother of invention, and Rwanda's government seems to understand this more than most with the launch of the Centre of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR). "With the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the rapid innovations witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic, there is an increased urgency to develop digital and technological capacities to build more resilient systems for a healthier society and more sustainable economy," said Rwandan Minister of Information Communication Technology and Innovation Paula Ingabire. Ingabire made the comment in a media statement posted on the World Economic Forum's (WEF) website. Rwanda has launched its C4IR, saying it will "work with stakeholders around the world to design and pilot new approaches to technology governance that foster innovation in an inclusive and responsible manner". Some of the projects that the C4IR is already working on are the country's artificial intelligence (AI) policy and laws on the protection of personal data and privacy.