On December 2, Mila, in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations, held the Workshop on Developing National AI Strategies: Towards Ethical and Inclusive Governance. Hosted at the Mission’s headquarters, the event brought together French-speaking diplomats from various countries and missions, all based at the UN in New York.
Designed as a capacity-building training on national AI development strategies, the workshop aimed to help participants deepen their knowledge of policy and regulation while strengthening their understanding of ethical, societal, and human rights-related issues. Participants gained the tools necessary to promote AI governance that is both responsible and secure, and to confidently address key questions in this field.
Over six hours, participants followed an intensive program combining theoretical lessons, case studies, and practical exercises, covering several essential topics. The event began with a welcome from the Honourable David Lametti, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, and concluded with remarks from Ambassador Michel Xavier Biang, Permanent Observer for the International Organization of la Francophonie to the United Nations.
The program included:
- AI fundamentals, to establish a shared understanding of key concepts and technologies;
- National AI strategies, including success factors and case studies;
- Towards locally grounded national AI strategies, key considerations, and the role of scientific diplomacy;
- Practical policy drafting workshop, allowing participants to apply the concepts learned.
Participants also benefited from contributions by a diverse group of speakers and facilitators who are experts in AI, each offering relevant insights and valuable perspectives:
- Anna Jahn, Executive Director, Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy, McGill University, and Visiting Researcher at Mila
- Guillaume Lajoie, Associate Professor, Université de Montréal, and Core Academic Member at Mila
- Henri Vilandre, Policy Advisor at Mila
- Thomas Hervé Mboa Nkoudou, Assistant Professor, University of Ottawa
- Laurent Elder, Program Lead, Information and Networks, International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
- Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy Director of the Telecommunication Standardization Bureau, International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
