Ai4SDG

As 2024 comes to a close, we look back on a year filled with moments of transformation and impact. Swipe through to revisit the highlights that shaped our journey. Here's to an even brighter 2024! 🎉 #NextStepFoundation

The recent paper "Market Power in Artificial Intelligence" by Joshua Gans discusses competition dynamics in AI markets, focusing on three areas: training data, input data, and AI predictions. It explores how market power arises, particularly through datafeedback loops and the control of data across firm boundaries. Key insights include the implications of data trading, mergers, and policy interventions for fostering competition and innovation in AI markets. Key Takeaways: 1. Data Feedback Loops and Market Power: Incumbents with extensive access to training data can reinforce their dominance through data feedback loops, creating barriers to entry for new firms. This highlights the need for careful regulation of data-sharing practices. 2. Impact of Data Trade and Mergers: The ability of firms to trade or share data can shape market structures. Cross-market data usage, particularly through mergers, can either promote efficiency or entrench market power, impacting consumer welfare and innovation rates. 3. Future Implications for Policy and Innovation: Policies promoting equitable access to data, such as neutrality regulations or privacy laws, must balance encouraging competition with protecting innovation incentives. The shape and scope of these policies will significantly influence the trajectory of AI-driven industries.

The article, "Predictability, AI, and Judicial Futurism: Why Robots Will Run the Law and Textualists Will Like It," by Jack Kieffaber explores what it might mean for artificial intelligence (AI) to replace human judges and lawyers, particularly under a textualist legal philosophy. The article imagines a state-sponsored AI model, "Judge.AI," that could achieve perfect predictability in interpreting and applying laws, thus fulfilling the highest ideal of textualism. By assuming this hypothetical regime, the article challenges the reader to consider whether such a system represents a utopia or a dystopia and critiques the philosophical and practical objections to AI-driven law. Key Takeaways: 1. Textualism and AI Compatibility: The article contends that textualism, with its focus on predictability and adherence to the written law, is inherently aligned with the capabilities of AI systems like "Judge.AI." Such systems eliminate human biases and provide consistent, predictable legal interpretations. 2. Challenges to the Current Legal Framework: Introducing AI to replace traditional judicial roles could disrupt established legal practices, as these systems are designed to mitigate human error rather than operate under perfect predictability. 3. Future Implications: The rise of AI in law challenges fundamental questions about democracy, morality, and the role of human judgment. It forces society to reconcile with the possibility of delegating justice to machines, which may lead to significant shifts in how legitimacy and fairness are perceived in legal systems.

The paper "Should Accountants be Afraid of AI?" explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into accounting and auditing. It highlights both opportunities and risks associated with this technological shift. AI's potential to handle repetitive tasks, generate new content, and make predictions can significantly improve efficiency in these fields. However, challenges related to data security, ethical considerations, and the potential erosion of professional judgment are also prominent concerns. Three Key Takeaways: Opportunities for Efficiency: AI can streamline accounting processes by performing repetitive tasks, generating reports, and identifying patterns in data more quickly and accurately than humans. Predictive AI can enhance risk assessments and decision-making. Ethical and Data Security Risks: The use of AI raises concerns about data privacy, governance, and biases. Ensuring that AI systems are trained on accurate, unbiased data is crucial, and new regulations may be needed to manage data ownership and security. Future Implications - Professional Transformation: The adoption of AI will transform the role of accountants and auditors, moving away from manual, routine tasks to higher-level, value-added activities. This shift may lead to deskilling concerns, requiring changes in training and regulation to preserve professional standards and trust.

As AI and machine learning evolve, the quality of data used to train models has never been more critical. Data annotation forms the backbone of AI systems, allowing them to recognize patterns and make accurate predictions. Outsourcing this vital task offers organizations access to specialized expertise, scalable resources, and cost-effective solutions. This not only accelerates development timelines but also ensures precision and consistency, helping businesses remain competitive in the fast-paced AI landscape. Through our commitment to empowering Persons with Disabilities and women with in-demand skills, we aim to enable them to access meaningful work and create a lasting impact in their communities. What’s your take on outsourcing data annotation for AI success? Share your thoughts below! Ai4SDG #AIForGood #TechForAfrica #Ai4SDGs 

We are excited to welcome Obor Millicent (Minto) as the new Head of Programs at the Next Step Foundation! Minto is a highly accomplished expert in Program Design, Project Management, and Digital Transformation, with a proven track record of delivering meaningful impact. As Senior Technical Advisor for Digitalisation at GIZ, she was pivotal in establishing Kenya's first Green Digital Innovation Hub. Her career highlights include spearheading transformative projects such as the Google-funded Digital Skills and NORAD-funded Digital LaunchPad programs, which have benefited MSMEs across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Ghana. She has successfully led multi-country teams and managed diverse stakeholders. With a deep commitment to #Skilling for #Work, Learning to Earning, and Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Minto is passionate about empowering marginalized communities, particularly #Persons with #Disabilities, to thrive in the digital economy. Her vision and expertise align perfectly with our mission to create #inclusive opportunities for all. We are confident that Minto’s leadership will elevate our impact. Please join us in extending a warm welcome to her! 👏 ID: Photo of Minto

On this #InternationalDayofPersonswithDisabilities, we celebrate the transformative power of accessible technology. From screen readers to AI communication aids, these innovations do more than simplify tasks—they create pathways to education, meaningful work, and inclusion for those long excluded. Digital inclusion isn’t just about access; it’s about reimagining equality. Technology empowers us to open doors to opportunity and progress for all. At the Next Step Foundation, we believe in a world where technology removes barriers rather than creating them. By leveraging innovation, upskilling programs, and a focus on inclusivity, we work to ensure Persons with Disabilities, women, and youth from underserved communities have the tools to thrive in the digital economy. Our efforts continue to redefine what inclusion looks like, expanding opportunities that were once out of reach. Let’s create meaningful alliances that ensure every voice is heard, every talent is recognized, and a truly inclusive future becomes a reality. #DisabilityInclusion #EmpoweringThroughTech #NextStepFoundation

This Giving Tuesday, stand with Next Step Foundation's Upili Program to create opportunities and empower a vibrant future for Youth with Disabilities in Kenya. Upili is more than a program—it's a psychosocial lifeline for Students with Disabilities addressing: • Limited access to mental health support • Gaps in sexual and reproductive health education • Persistent stigma hindering both personal and professional growth Your support of Upili helps: 💖 Provide group counseling with professionals who share lived experiences  🧠 Build foundational self-confidence and emotional resilience 📚 Improve academic performance 💼 Prepare students for workplace successes Through Upili, we are not just supporting students in navigating life’s challenges—we are equipping them to excel and lead with confidence. Watch UPILI's animated origin story and discover the Next Step Foundation journey that sparked its mission. Take Action Today: - Watch our brief animated video below - Stay connected with Upili on social media (LinkedIn, X, Instagram) - Help us reach more Youth with Disabilities Carla Birnberg Mariam Ndegwa #GivingTuesday #UpiliProgram

We are excited to host this incredible event at our Ai4SDG Center in Nairobi! This gathering brings together global philanthropy organizations to explore how we can build a more inclusive and sustainable future. The Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors’ Foresight and Futures Initiative equips leaders with tools to innovate in philanthropy while amplifying historically marginalized voices. We are honored to support this global effort and provide a space for meaningful discussions and strategies that drive positive change. Looking forward to the next few days of learning and strategy on the future of philanthropy.

Africa is rapidly embracing AI, recognizing its immense transformative potential. This technology is already driving impactful change in critical areas across the continent. Limited infrastructure and the need for comprehensive AI regulations are some of the challenges that still remain. Africa must address these hurdles. Balanced policies are crucial to advancing innovation, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding users from misuse. We believe that leveraging the power of this technology can transform lives, particularly when underserved communities, such as Persons with Disabilities and women, are placed at the forefront of this digital revolution. As Africa accelerates its adoption of AI, how can we balance innovation with regulation to ensure this technology drives progress for all? Ai4SDG #AIForGood #TechForAfrica #Ai4SDGs