108 Small Nations Band Together to Write AI Playbook

Global collaboration on AI: Small nations are joining forces to share experiences and best practices in artificial intelligence adoption through a newly released AI Playbook for Small States.

• The playbook, developed by Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Rwanda’s Ministry of Information Communication Technology and Innovation, aims to foster inclusive global discourse on AI.
• It draws from the collective experiences of 108 nations that are part of the Digital Forum of Small States (FOSS), addressing various aspects of AI deployment, including governance, safety, and societal impact.
• The initiative aligns with the United Nations’ 17 sustainable development goals and provides a platform for inclusive discussions on AI-related issues.

Key focus areas: The AI Playbook highlights four crucial domains for small nations to consider in their AI journey, emphasizing the importance of building trust and developing human resources.

• The document showcases Finland’s digital transformation initiatives as an example, including plans to use generative AI for improving legislative drafting efficiency.
• It outlines a framework for mitigating AI-associated risks and building trust, covering aspects such as training data and user accountability.
• The playbook stresses the need for practical tools to ensure the safe deployment and use of AI systems, including testing and evaluation methods.

Addressing challenges: The playbook acknowledges the unique constraints faced by small states in AI adoption and offers strategies to overcome them.

• It recognizes that testing AI systems can be expensive and challenging for businesses, especially in smaller nations.
• To address this, the playbook recommends open-source testing resources and toolkits to lower entry barriers and reduce costs.
• It also suggests forming communities of practice among industry players to facilitate knowledge transfer and sharing of best practices.

Singapore’s contribution: The city-state offers its Model Governance Framework for Generative AI as a guide for addressing potential risks throughout the AI development lifecycle.

• This framework covers various aspects, including post-deployment incident reporting, third-party testing and assurance, and content provenance.
• By sharing this resource, Singapore aims to help other small nations navigate the complex landscape of AI governance and risk management.

Collaborative approach: The playbook emphasizes the importance of international cooperation and knowledge sharing among small states to overcome limitations in AI capabilities.

• Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications highlights the lack of key capabilities such as high-performance computing or cutting-edge R&D in many small states.
• The ministry advocates for collaboration with other countries and the private sector, as well as the creation of open-source and reusable AI solutions across borders and sectors.

Bridging the AI gap: The initiative recognizes the disparity in AI progress among small countries and calls for support to bridge this divide.

• Hamza Ammar Maatoq from Libya’s General Authority of Communications and Informatics points out the varying levels of AI advancement among small nations, citing factors such as finance, experience, and culture.
• Maatoq urges for collaboration between AI-advanced countries and those still in early stages, suggesting partnerships involving individuals, institutions, and major enterprises.

Looking ahead: Potential impact and challenges

The AI Playbook for Small States represents a significant step towards democratizing AI knowledge and capabilities globally. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing, it has the potential to accelerate AI adoption in smaller nations, potentially leading to more diverse and inclusive AI development. However, challenges remain in addressing the resource and expertise gaps between countries. The success of this initiative will likely depend on sustained commitment from participating nations and the ability to translate shared knowledge into actionable policies and projects tailored to each country’s unique context.