Africa Cio Tech Day’s: AI, cybersecurity and collaborative solutions at the Club DSI Côte d’Ivoire Digital Summit

Artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and collaborative solutions were in the spotlight at the Africa Cio Tech’Days 2024, an event organized by the Ivory Coast DSI Club, highlighting opportunities offered by AI as well as the risks that the uncontrolled development of this technology poses to organizations and businesses in terms of cyber and ethics threats.

(Cio Mag) – “ As President of the Ivory Coast DSI Club, I am proud to see the progress and constant efforts of our community to integrate cutting-edge technologies, while meeting the challenges that arise. Artificial intelligence, for example, can transform our processes and provide new growth opportunities. However, it also raises ethical and responsibility questions that we must address rigorously.. » This statement from Jean Claude Sigui, this Thursday, June 13 in Abidjan on the occasion of the Africa Cio Tech’Days 2024, clearly expresses one of the major areas of concern for Information System Directors (ISDs): artificial intelligence.

With the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, businesses have realized the reality and power of artificial intelligence. The optimists consider the production opportunities increased tenfold. Alarmists worry about the effects of a technology which can also be put at the service of the baser instincts, including cybercriminals.

Generative AI, predictive AI, advances: where are we in concrete terms? Is it a technological and industrial revolution? How are intelligent collaborative solutions reshaping the working world of tomorrow? How can AI-powered applications cause cyberattacks? Why is it essential to adopt artificial intelligence systems despite the threats? In a world where AI is deployed omnipresently, it seemed crucial for the Ivory Coast CIO Club to call on economic players (Jabra, Transnumerik, Microsoft, Aïtek, ANSUT, etc.) who have taken the time to analyze these issues. Hence the organization of the first edition of Africa Cio Tech’Days (ACTD) around the theme “the challenges of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and collaborative solutions: threats or opportunities for our organizations or businesses“.

“ It is a choice which, far from being fortuitous, demonstrates the need to address new issues of productivity and security in an environment that is increasingly connected with the appearance of new technologies and threats. », Supported the president of the DSI Club in front of an audience of guests including a delegation from Mauritius, guest country of honor, and Canada. According to Jean Claude Sigui, Mauritius’ vision and initiatives in technology are a source of inspiration for all, as well as Canada, a country recognized for its remarkable advances in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The Mauritian approach

On behalf of the Economic Development Board of Mauritius, Pratima Sewpal, Senior Manager Emerging Technology, ICT, reiterated her country’s commitment to innovation and digital development reflected in sustained growth of the sector, with investments in telecommunications infrastructure, the promotion of technological start-ups and the development of policies favorable to the digital industry.

“ This proactive approach has not only stimulated economic growth, but also promoted social inclusion and access to digital services for all our citizens “, will say Pratima Sewpal, before declaring that the digital sector in Mauritius today represents an essential pillar of its economy, contributing approximately 5.6% of its GDP. She led a delegation of several companies such as Excelerate Consulting, Mauritius Cargo Community Servies (MACCS) and Mauritius Network services (MNS).

Speaking during this digital forum, Gilles Thierry Beugré, CEO of ANSUT, reaffirmed the ambition of this structure to “become the catalyst for digital transformation in Ivory Coast”, drawing in particular on the vision of the Head of State of Côte d’Ivoire, Alassane Ouattara, and the skills necessary to initiate change.

For this first edition, ACTD 2024 brought together for two days (June 13 – 14), leaders in fields as varied as information technologies, digital transformation of businesses, cybersecurity, and many others, looking forward to exchanging, forming strategic partnerships and contributing to building a promising digital future for the nations present and the African continent as a whole.