Somalia Joins Global AI Ethics Forum in Bangkok

Bangkok, (SONNA) — Somalia took part in the 3rd Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, held in Bangkok and co-hosted by UNESCO and Thai authorities. The event brought together over 20 ministers and global leaders to discuss international cooperation and ethical governance in artificial intelligence.

The Deputy Minister of Communications and Technology, H.E Ahmed Osman Diriye, represented the Federal Government of Somalia in the high-level dialogues, including the Ministerial Dialogue on International Cooperation on AI. The discussions focused on strengthening global collaboration to ensure responsible and ethical AI development.

In his address, Minister Ahmed highlighted several key points:

• Somalia’s National Digital Strategy (2025–2029), aimed at guiding the country’s digital transformation.
• Ongoing legislative efforts, including the Data Protection Act, E-Transactions Law, and Cybersecurity Bill.
• The establishment of a dedicated AI governance office to develop policies aligned with global technological progress.

He also joined a session on AI readiness assessments, where countries explored UNESCO’s framework for evaluating national preparedness in managing AI technologies.

Minister Ahmed expressed appreciation for Somalia being selected among the new countries to pilot UNESCO’s AI governance readiness tools. He emphasized that the forum provided a valuable opportunity for Somalia to:

• Strengthen international partnerships
• Access technical support
• Contribute to shaping global AI policy

The forum underscored the importance of inclusive and ethical AI governance, and Somalia’s active participation signals its growing commitment to digital innovation and responsible tech leadership.

The event was a significant step for Somalia in aligning with global standards and practices in AI, fostering a collaborative environment for ethical and responsible technological advancement.