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IMFEST Foundation

IMFEST

About IMFEST Foundation: Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, IMFEST Foundation is a global platform committed to uniting leaders, innovators, academics, and entrepreneurs to drive advancements in technology, sustainability, and development in West Africa, with a strong focus on Ghana. Goals Remit: IMFEST fosters the adoption of immersive technologies (VR, AR, AI) to drive innovation across sectors. It promotes sustainable development through green mobility, circular economies, and climate-resilient solutions. The foundation empowers youth and entrepreneurs with mentorship, education, and investment access. By building bridges between West Africa and Europe, creative, and academic ecosystems, IMFEST facilitates knowledge exchange and co-creation. The foundation champions inclusivity, growth equity, and sustainable impact through flagship events and year-round programs.

Lobbying Activity

Response to Apply AI Strategy

11 Apr 2025

Feedback on the Call for Evidence Apply AI: European Strategy for Boosting Industrial Use of AI and Improving Public Services I welcome the European Commissions initiative to strengthen the uptake of AI in industry and public services. The Apply AI strategy is timely, with the potential to reinforce economic resilience, boost innovation, and protect fundamental rights in the digital transition. As someone working across EU-Africa innovation ecosystems, especially through the IMFEST Foundation, a platform connecting entrepreneurs, researchers, and public actors, I support a vision of AI deployment that is: Inclusive for SMEs and startups, Accountable to citizens and communities, and Geared toward international cooperation on climate, education, and digital infrastructure. Recommendations and Observations 1. Empowering SMEs and Innovation Hubs AI adoption in SMEs remains low due to technical complexity, limited funding, and lack of access to data and infrastructure. I recommend that the strategy: Establish tailored support tools (such as micro-grants and challenge funds) aligned with the Green Deal and Digital Decade, enabling smaller players to adopt AI. Promote collaborative experimentation environmentsDigital Innovation Hubs and European AI Factoriesthat allow SMEs to test solutions with researchers and the public sector. Facilitate open and trustworthy access to foundational AI models and APIs, ensuring European SMEs can innovate without dependency on non-EU platforms. This approach will help decentralize innovation, ensuring competitiveness while fostering inclusive growth. 2. Responsible AI in Public Services Public sector adoption of AI must be grounded in trust, transparency, and citizen inclusion. I propose that the strategy: Develop a common accountability framework for algorithmic decision-making in core public services (e.g., health, education, transport). Enable local AI experimentation through cross-border municipal networks, co-designed with citizens and based on localized, high-quality datasets. Ensure that multilingual and low-resource environments are integrated, especially in areas such as GenAI and natural language processing, making public services accessible to all. This would foster equitable digital public goods and trust in government-led innovation. 3. Deepening Africa-EU AI Cooperation As AI becomes a global infrastructure, the EUs leadership should include equitable partnerships, particularly with African innovators. I recommend that the strategy: Expand AI research collaboration with African universities and innovation hubs to address shared societal challenges (e.g., climate resilience, urban development, education). Build a framework for data sharing and interoperability that respects GDPR and African data governance standards. Support joint skills-building and entrepreneurship programs, particularly for youth and women in the digital sector. Such partnerships will reflect Europe's values in action: global solidarity, digital rights, and innovation diplomacy. 4. AI and the Future of Education AI can transform learning systems, yet its potential in education remains underdeveloped. I suggest that the strategy: Prioritize AI in education across both industrial and public domains. Invest in adaptive learning systems, AI tutors, and XR-enhanced platforms to serve diverse learning needs, including vocational and informal education. Align the AI Skills Academy with national certification systems and micro-credentials, promoting AI literacy across Europe. This will build a future-ready workforce and empower citizens as both users and creators of AI. Concluding Remarks Apply AI offers a vital opportunity to embed mission-driven, human-centric, and globally inclusive principles in the EUs industrial and digital transformation. It can unlock shared prosperity, promote ethical leadership, and deepen collaboration between Europe and partners worldwide.
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Meeting with Olivier Bringer (Head of Unit Communications Networks, Content and Technology)

11 Apr 2025 · Exploring EU-Africa Digital Collaboration