Project summary

The project is meant to organize AI safety workshops in Cameroon and Togo to strengthen AI safety among policy workers, Journalists, civil society leaders, technology professionals and students. This workshop is to promote responsible AI governance and practical training on AI safety. The participants will take part in creating localized communication resources that will act as a support system for public dialogue and policy development. At the end of these workshops, we would have equipped about 400 participants with effective AI communication skills. This project will enhance cross border collaboration between Cameroon and Togo by building a strong regional ecosystem for inclusive AI safety development.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The goal of this project is to create AI safety awareness and responsible AI governance in Cameroon and Togo by building the knowledge and communication capacity of the stakeholders.

We have designed a series of AI safety workshops aiming at equipping about 300-400 policy makers with the skills needed to understand AI risks. In other to archive this goal, the project will:

• AI Safety Knowledge: There will be interactive workshops introducing participants to AI Safety principles, AI governance, transparency and responsible AI deployment.

• Strengthen Strategic Communication: Participants will be trained in AI communication strategies which will enable them to accurately explained AI opportunities to policy-makers, Journalist and students and this will help to reduce misinformation and encourage public dialogue.

• Localized Safety Resources: Participants will be encouraged to create localized Material such as policy briefs, awareness content in a local and cultural context for the public.

• Cross sector collaboration: The project will promote collaboration among academia, civil society leaders and technology sector to share the knowledge in AI governance.

• Regional Safety Networks: This will encourage regional safety and exchange of knowledge between countries

• Support Responsible AI Governance: Participants are encouraged to apply the knowledge gained and also act as AI safety ambassadors taking the knowledge to the ends of each country. The participants could achieve this by creating micro tech communities around AI safety and governance.

How will this funding be used?

The proposed budget allocation is as follows:
* Workshop delivery (venue, equipment, participant materials, refreshments): $15,000
* Travel and accommodation for trainers, speakers and project staff: $10,000
* Facilitator and expert consultant fees: $5,000
* Participant scholarships/Prizes: $5,000
* Training materials, communications resources and translation (English/French): $8,000
* Project coordination, administration and logistics: $3,000
* Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and impact assessment: $4,000
* Communications, outreach and contingency: $3,000
Total funding requested: $53,000

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

Ayuk Etta - Founder Mountain Hub.

Kenneth Ngah - Enthusiast is Applied AI for STEM Education

We have a tract record of organizing similar events in communities. Below are some of those events in the links

• Grand North 48 Hackathon See Data ( https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1YIVcCB3Zs10nUrgn_CSvzfM41WazCN-u**))
• Organizing Team for Monthly Python Programming Meetups https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HgZPCPr7XquV_giR9SzlMWtJ2eLQH4dw
• Organizing Team for Design Studio Meetups https://www.linkedin.com/company/d-e-s-i-g-n-m-e-e-tup/posts/?feedView=all
• Organizing Team for Cameroon International Tech Conference ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/citscmm/posts/?feedView=all
• Organizing Team for Bamenda Innovation Week See More Details ( https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9aq64fnc64x2f9w0psbwi/B.I.W-Report.pdf?rlkey=1jru26cvkk0q626b8uw7ln8jo&dl=0**))

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

The most likely causes for this project to fail will be will be lack of funding little participation due to lack of publicity or limited coordination among partners. If this project becomes a failure, the stakeholders in Cameroon and Togo will miss the opportunity to learn and implement the AI safety principles and AI Governance. As a result it could also delay the development of localized AI safety resources and responsible governance. To mitigate such a risk, we will build partnerships with local community leaders and institutions and adapt training to participant needs.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

This project has not received any funding as of now.