Developing AI Ecosystems in the Global South

In September 2024, the Science and Technology Innovation Program convened a roundtable with a small but select group of technologists, researchers, scholars, and policy personnel from 12 Global South countries to discuss on the opportunities opened by AI for Global South countries and the obstacles they perceive in their own communities, workplaces, or governments. While the countries represented are incredibly diverse across many dimensions, clear through lines emerged and are summarized in this white paper.

The central opportunity presented by building AI ecosystems was characterized as "local solutions for local problems".  Key problems that appeared common were brain drain, a lack of access to AI inputs, and a lack of connective tissue between academia, industry, and government. The white paper goes on to make recommendations for action by Global South and Global North governments and the private sector, including a call for Global North countries to reframe relationships on tech with Global South countries away from aid and development and toward a collaborative mindset that leverages unique strengths in Global South for stronger solutions that benefit both, and a highlight on the role of open source AI models in Global South ecosystem building and access to technology.