Namibia developing Artificial Intelligence Act – Theofelus - nbc

Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, said Namibia is in the process of developing the Artificial Intelligence Act.

She revealed this in her response to the question from PDM MP Diederik Vries about the regulation and ethical use of AI.

Theofelus said that Namibia is currently processing guiding principles in line with UNESCO's recommendation on the ethics of artificial intelligence, as well as the continental artificial intelligence strategy.

"There have been developments. Namibia has participated in UNESCO's AI Readiness Assessment methodology (RAMP) this year, which aims to assist countries in evaluating existing frameworks, capacities and competencies for the ethical development and use of AI."

The minister said they are working to address some constitutional gaps by finalising key legislation, including the data protection and cybercrime bills.

"The Ministry works with all critical stakeholders in the human rights ecosystem and remains committed to a human rights-based approach to AI governance and welcomes opportunities for collaboration to assess the impacts of AI on human rights. Not to mention that the government's stance is really that AI shouldn't be a technology that should be feared. Like any other innovation, invasion or emerging technology, it has pros and cons. However, our stance remains: just like technology, AI should be for the public good."