The Ethics of AI and Role of Universities: A Case Study of Kenya

Washington Okeyo: Management University of Africa

Professor Washington Okeyo’s presentation will explore the ethical dimensions of artificial intelligence and the pivotal role universities play in shaping its development and use, focusing on Kenya as a case study. As AI technologies increasingly impact local and global communities, questions around privacy, accountability, and fairness are emerging as critical concerns. The speaker will examine how Kenyan universities can contribute to ethical AI research, education, and policy development, while addressing the unique social, cultural, and economic challenges the country faces. The talk will highlight the role of higher education institutions in equipping students and professionals with the skills to responsibly develop and deploy AI systems, ensuring that these technologies contribute to peace, equity, and sustainable development both locally and globally.

Surveillance, Technology, and the Uyghur Crisis: Implications for Human Rights and Peace

Nur Mugeddes

This talk will explore the "Uyghur problem" in China the use of advanced surveillance technologies employed by the Chinese government against this minority group and the implications for human rights and peace at both local and global levels. Since 2017, the international community has increasingly recognised the severe human rights violations occurring in the Uyghur region of China, culminating in the U.S. designation of these actions as "genocide" in 2021. 

Central to this ongoing crisis is a sophisticated network of surveillance technologies that enable the Chinese Communist Party to exert control over the Uyghur population. With over 200 million surveillance cameras, initiatives like Project Sky Net and the Dazzling Snow Project, and a centralized data management platform, the Chinese state employs advanced AI and monitoring systems to suppress dissent and facilitate human rights abuses. Companies such as Megvii, Sensetime, and Hikvision play critical roles in this system, raising ethical concerns about the use of technology in perpetuating oppression.

This presentation will examine the intersection of technology and human rights, discussing how AI and surveillance can both undermine peace and present challenges to international efforts for justice. By analysing the current situation in the Uyghur region, the speaker will highlight the urgent need for a coordinated global response to ensure that technology serves as a tool for peace rather than oppression. 

Technology, Is it a driver or a barrier to gender equality?

Rosemary Soliman Dawood: Abu Dhabi University

Women have historically been under-represented in the workforce, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. They are still facing significant challenges that hinder them from being equally represented in many fields despite the advancement in technology and the rise of Artificial intelligence (AI). Many gender scholars have raised their concern regarding AI, as instead of fixing gender stereotypes that are deeply entrenched in the social structures, it may contribute in perpetuating existing inequalities and negative stereotypical and essentialist gender norms. This presentation is going to employ an intersectional feminist framework to identify and analyze key trends related to gender and technology and how this gender bias is mirrored through different platforms in our society.

Funding Your Future: Pathways to Global Collaboration and Sustainable Development in Agricultural Science in Japan

Peter Lutes: Kagawa University

This presentation outlines pathways for securing funding to advance sustainable development initiatives on a global scale. For individual academics and advocates, obtaining financial support often poses significant challenges. The presenter will provide an overview of various funding opportunities available to researchers and advocates, along with practical strategies to improve success in securing these resources.

Additionally, the presentation will showcase Japan’s educational and research strengths in agricultural sciences, highlighting Kagawa University’s Graduate School of Agriculture as a leading example of institutional support for international students. Japanese academic programs in agriculture are recognized for equipping students with the expertise needed to address contemporary challenges in food systems, agricultural practices, and sustainability. For instance, Kagawa University’s “Sustainable Food Production and Management” program has achieved a graduate employment rate of over 95% in Japanese companies, underscoring its effectiveness in preparing students for industry roles.

The presentation will also examine Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) scholarships, which offer targeted financial support for African students, fostering cross-cultural research collaboration and broadening access to Japan’s academic resources. This analysis highlights how institutions like Kagawa University, through structured support and funding, equip international students to build impactful careers in agricultural science and sustainability.