Official Visit to Kenya by Hon. Fausta Bergamotto, Undersecretary of State: A Milestone in AI-Driven Sustainable Development


Official Visit to Kenya by Hon. Fausta Bergamotto, Undersecretary of State: A Milestone in AI-Driven Sustainable Development

Story by Stella Ranji 

In a significant stride toward fostering equitable and high-impact partnerships, Hon. Fausta Bergamotto, Undersecretary of State at Italy’s Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, embarked on an official mission to Kenya. This visit underscores Italy’s commitment to advancing sustainable development through artificial intelligence (AI), aligning with the broader framework of the G7 Italy Presidency 2024 and the Mattei Plan for Africa.

AI for Sustainable Development: A Collaborative Effort

The Embassy of Italy in Nairobi, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), convened a pivotal event series titled Advancing AI for Sustainable Development in Africa. This initiative brought together AI entrepreneurs, researchers, startups, investors, and policy actors to explore how AI can drive sustainable development across strategic sectors including energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

A key highlight of the event was the introduction of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development—a collaborative effort co-designed by Italy and UNDP. The Hub aims to catalyze AI-based economic growth in Kenya and other priority countries by fostering partnerships across the public and private sectors. It focuses on four critical areas:
UNDP

Inclusive and Representative Datasets: Ensuring AI systems are trained on diverse and equitable data, including low-resource languages.

Local AI Talent Development: Building capacity through education and training to empower local innovators.

Accessible and Affordable Green Computing Infrastructure: Promoting sustainable and scalable technological solutions.

Enabling Environments for Responsible AI Adoption: Creating policies and frameworks that support ethical AI deployment.

Showcasing African Innovation

The event also featured a showcase of African AI startups, including Kenya’s own Trade Pulse and Kytabu. These startups exemplify the innovative spirit driving AI adoption in Africa and highlight the continent's potential as a proactive shaper of the global AI landscape .
UNDP

Strengthening Bilateral Ties

Hon. Bergamotto's mission to Kenya is a testament to Italy's strategic commitment to co-shaping Africa’s AI future. Through collaborative innovation, private sector engagement, and capacity building, Italy aims to ensure that Africa is not only a beneficiary but also a co-architect of the global AI economy. This mission reflects the broader goals of the Mattei Plan, which seeks to foster equitable and high-impact partnerships across strategic sectors, including energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Looking Ahead

As the AI Hub for Sustainable Development prepares for its operational launch in 2025, the collaboration between Italy, Kenya, and UNDP sets the stage for a transformative era in AI-driven sustainable development. By empowering local ecosystems and fostering inclusive partnerships, this initiative aims to create lasting impact and contribute to a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

For more information on the AI Hub for Sustainable Development and ongoing initiatives, please visit the official UNDP website.

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