Countries Including UAE, Malaysia, and Rwanda Join Forces to Enhance Artificial Intelligence Use in Developing Regions Worldwide
In a significant move towards international cooperation and sustainable development, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Rwanda have joined forces to expand the Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) AI Fellowship Program. This strategic partnership, initially launched by the UAE and Rwanda at the 2024 World Economic Forum, aims to accelerate digital transformation and AI adoption across the Global South.
The new agreement, witnessed by His Excellency Omar Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and His Excellency Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital in Malaysia, broadens the C4IR AI Fellowship Program to include Malaysia. This collaboration will enhance South-South collaboration in technology policy, research, and skills development.
The C4IR AI Fellowship Program supports knowledge transfer and capacity building, fostering cutting-edge AI research and innovation tailored to the needs of developing nations. It emphasizes ethical AI practices and frameworks to empower the Global South to leverage AI and Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies for inclusive and sustainable economic and societal progress.
The program aligns with existing national initiatives such as Rwanda’s AI Innovation Lab and the Global AI Summit on Africa. It reinforces efforts to promote practical AI adoption under responsible governance. The C4IR network orchestrates these efforts by connecting public and private sector partners to harness emerging technologies while managing associated risks.
The UAE Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (UAE C4IR) plays a key role in facilitating collaboration and exchange. The Network, a global network of independent national and thematic centres, explores exponential technologies and drives their responsible adoption and application. Over the past six years, the UAE C4IR has forged several impactful partnerships and initiatives.
The C4IR Network AI Fellowship Program, resulting from this collaboration, aims to serve as a vital bridge, connecting AI leaders and experts across continents, sharing knowledge, exchanging talent, and co-creating solutions. His Excellency Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital in Malaysia, stated that Malaysia is proud to join forces with the UAE and Rwanda in this initiative to bridge global AI expertise and accelerate digital transformation.
The expanded C4IR AI Fellowship Program exemplifies a tangible example of international cooperation focused on sustainable development through AI, by enabling collaboration, innovation, and governance frameworks among Global South countries. The program reflects the collective goal for a future driven by responsible AI innovation.
[1] World Economic Forum. (2024). C4IR AI Fellowship Program Expands to Include Malaysia. [online] Available at: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/10/c4ir-ai-fellowship-program-expands-to-include-malaysia/
[2] Government of Rwanda. (2024). Rwanda Joins Forces with UAE and Malaysia to Boost AI Adoption in the Global South. [online] Available at: https://www.gov.rw/rwanda-joins-forces-with-uae-and-malaysia-to-boost-ai-adoption-in-the-global-south/
[3] UAE Government. (2024). UAE, Rwanda, and Malaysia Strengthen Cooperation for AI Adoption in the Global South. [online] Available at: https://www.uaegov.ae/en/news/uae-rwanda-and-malaysia-strengthen-cooperation-for-ai-adoption-in-the-global-south/
[4] The Edge Markets. (2024). Malaysia Joins UAE, Rwanda in C4IR AI Fellowship Program. [online] Available at: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/malaysia-joins-uae-rwanda-c4ir-ai-fellowship-program
Technology will be further utilized within the expanded C4IR AI Fellowship Program, following Malaysia's inclusion in this strategic partnership. This program, enhanced through South-South collaboration, focuses on artificial-intelligence by fostering research, policy, and skills development to promote sustainable economic progress.
The C4IR AI Fellowship Program, as a result of the partnership between Malaysia, the UAE, and Rwanda, accentuates technology innovation and ethical AI practices by bridging AI leaders and knowledge across continents.
