Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a field of strategic importance that can represent a major driver of economic development, as well as a lever for strategic positioning, both regional and international, with multiple sectorspecific opportunities. As such, AI is an issue of key importance for national development policies in terms of its implications for regulation, the digital economy, human capital, training, research, cooperation and innovation.
In order to make the most of its potential and bolster the various initiatives in this field that are already in the making, Benin needs to, first of all, establish its strengths in this area, and second of all, define its objectives with a view to the effective use of Artificial Intelligence for the benefit of its population. To this end, it is also necessary to establish the resources that the country will have to procure if it is to facilitate the implementation of an AI ecosystem, and in so doing, cement itself as the leader in certain strategic areas for the West African subregion.
Benin has a institutional and legal framework (the Code of Digital Affairs, adopted on June 13, 2017, as amended by Law No. 2020-35 of January 6, 2021) as well as a dynamic digital ecosystem which, combined, constitute an essential foundation for the development of a solid Artificial Intelligence strategy capable of offering concrete solutions to development problems in a multitude of areas (agriculture, healthcare, tourism, education, transportation, security, e-governance, e-business, etc.).
In short, a well thought-out national strategy for the development of Artificial Intelligence will contribute to the efforts made by the digital economy sector to meet the objectives of the sector-specific policy, namely to make Benin the leading platform for digital services in West Africa. In order to most effectively exploit the benefits that AI can offer in the target areas for development, and to position the country as a major player in AI in West Africa, the Ministry of Digital Affairs and Digitalization has developed this National Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Strategy.
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