Brazzaville, In a significant move to integrate modern technologies with the legal framework, UNESCO has conducted a series of training sessions for Congolese judicial operators in Brazzaville. The initiative, aimed at enhancing their understanding of cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in relation to human rights, was based on UNESCO’s Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law. The training sessions, held from November 7 to 11, 2023, saw the participation of 80 judicial actors from the Congolese justice system.

According to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the training program was co-developed with local organizations, including the ‘Centre Africain de recherche en Intelligence Artificielle’ (CARIA) and the Smart Africa Digital Academy, to ensure the sustainability and local relevance of the capacity-building initiatives. The sessions covered a range of crucial topics including the functionalities of AI systems, their application in the justice sector, impacts on human rights, ethical governance frameworks, cybersecurity, and case-law related to technology.

The program recognized the judiciary as front-line defenders of human rights, particularly in the context of technological advancements and their potential threats. It emphasized the need to prepare the judiciary for the challenges posed by AI technologies, such as bias, discrimination, and lack of transparency in AI systems.

The Hon. Leon Ibombo, Minister of Posts and Telecommunications and Digital Economy for the Republic of the Congo, highlighted the importance of understanding AI and the Rule of Law in the legal and justice sectors. He stressed the need to navigate the evolving AI landscape while maintaining justice, ethics, and human rights.

Mr. Lacina Kone, the Director General of Smart Africa, reflected on the importance of finding a balance between leveraging AI and upholding the rule of law. He underscored the significance of UNESCO’s Global Toolkit on Artificial Intelligence and the Rule of Law for the Justice Sector as an indispensable resource in this regard.

The positive impact of the training was evident, with over 95% of participants indicating the relevance of the topics to their work. The initiative is part of UNESCO’s broader efforts supported by the European Commission to implement the Recommendation on the Ethics of AI through innovative tools.