Categories A la Une Archives Nationales

CAMEROON’S NATIONAL ARCHIVES PARTNER WITH CEIMIA AND IVADO FOR ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EXPERTISE IN ARCHIVE MANAGEMENT*.

On 24 July 2024, the President of the Republic, Head of State promulgated law N0 2024/001, organizing archives in Cameroon and enhancing the strategic role of public and private archives. To preserve everything about our archives, the Prime Minister Head of Government instructed the e-governance in the management of archives.

Today, the Minister of arts and Culture received a delegation from the International Centre of Expertise on Artificial Intelligence (CEIMIA) led by Sophia FALLAHA, Director General of CEIMIA, accompanied by a technology transfer expert from the Montreal-based Institute for Data Valorisation (IVADO), Dr Jean Francois Brunneau. The Canadian High commissioner ,Cameroon was reoresented by the Economic Affairs Advisor, Eric Dibeu. This delegation is carrying out an exploratory mission in Cameroon aimed at examining opportunities for collaboration with the National Archives of Cameroon in areas such as intelligent digitalisation of archives, the development of ethical and responsible AI tools to enhance the value of documentary heritage and supporting the State in its information governance strategies in this digital age.

CEIMIA and IVADO are two institutions strategically positioned for the possible partnership with Cameroon on the topic at hand. CEIMIA is an international organisation based in Montreal, created to support the implementation of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPIA). It acts as an operational structure for working groups and concrete projects in the field of *responsible artificial intelligence. Its areas of operation are Ethical governance of AI, Health, sustainable development, digital inclusion, monitoring the socio-economic impact of AI and the deployment of technical tools for public administrations. On its own part, IVADO is a centre of excellence in data science and artificial intelligence, bringing together the academic (University of Montréal, HEC, Polytechnique Montréal) and industrial strengths of the Quebec ecosystem. Its arears of operation are interdisciplinary research in AI and data science, knowledge transfer and open innovation, talent training (students, professionals, public administration) and development of solutions in health, mobility, the environment, etc.

The collaboration between Cameroon and these two prestigious institutions will be of great benefit to Cameroon as it will gain expertise in supporting AI-based public policies, provide framework for pilot projects in developing countries, demonstrated interest in archive management and the development of documentary heritage through AI. It will also have a structured approach to leveraging data in complex contexts, have opportunities for training and capacity-building in administration, teaching and research and potential to support the development of innovation laboratories or public data observatories.

In as much as this is a very fruitful venture for Cameroon, it is a win win for both parties as they will offer complementary information on Intelligent archiving, ethical AI for memory, data analysis and structuring E-Government, Algorithmic Governance, Optimisation of Public Services and much more. That is why in his speech, the Minister of Arts and Culture affirmed “Your presence here today is a strong sign of the growing interest shown by the international community in the enhancement of documentary heritage and the application of emerging technologies in the service of collective memory. It is also a proof of our collective interest to bring scientific advancement in Artificial Intelligence and public policies in the fields of memory, culture and documentary governance: bringing together memory, culture and artificial intelligence.”

The Cameroon government holds dear its archives and the preservation of this documentary heritage remains a priority as affirmed in the Minister’s speech; “Infact, and it cannot be said enough, archives are not simply documents forgotten in the shadows of the past. They are evidence, benchmarks, levers of citizenship, governance, and development. And today, more than ever, they must engage in dialogue with technology, without dissolving into abstraction”

MAALUM N.

Celcom/MINAC

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