Harnessing artificial intelligence's (AI) potential is an unprecedented opportunity for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to mitigate and better adapt to the effects of climate change.
Levering data, and digital technologies to build effective institutions for a resilient future in SIDS is a top priority SIDS will discuss at the 4th International Conference. AI's ability to collect, process and analyse vast and time-consuming data can:
- Inform predictions about environmental changes, allowing for early deployment of mitigation efforts;
- Forecast extreme events, model natural hazards, identify early warning signs and provide decision support for disaster risk reduction; and
Help manage the aftermath of disaster by assessing the severity of the situation and assisting first responders prioritise when and where to respond.
However, most SIDS’s national statistical systems (NSS) lack the data infrastructure and skills needed to support the use of emerging technologies and innovations.
Technological advances and the use of AI will move ahead, and SIDS need to be prepared to take advantage of them by having a comprehensive approach to statistical capacity development, investment, and strategic partnerships. Initial steps might include promoting data and digital literacy, investing in digital infrastructure to facilitate access to AI-powered services (e.g. data digitalization, access to high-speed internet, data storage and cloud computing capabilities) and engaging with partners (e.g. CSOs and private actors) to leverage knowledge transfer, funding opportunities and access to AI tools.
This annual roundtable of SIDS, organized in the margins of the 55th session of the United Nations Statistics Commission, convenes representatives of NSOs from SIDS and regional and multilateral organizations to share their good practices and knowledge on how to better prepare SIDS to harness the advantages of data innovations and AI to tackle climate change and achieve sustainable development.
The event is organised by PARIS21 in collaboration with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Pacific Community (SPC), and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
What opportunities can digitalisation bring to NSOs in SIDS?
- Are there examples of the use of AI in official statistics or government in SIDS?
- How can NSOs accelerate capacity building on the use of AI and digital technologies?
- What are the solutions at regional levels?
|SIDS countries, CARICOM, SPC, PARIS21, UN DESA, UN OHRLLS, CDB
Kutumia uwezo wa akili bandia ni fursa isiyo na kifani kwa nchi ndogo za kisiwa zinazoendelea (SIDS) kupunguza na kukabiliana vizuri na athari za mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa. Kuunganisha data na teknolojia za dijiti kujenga taasisi bora kwa ajili ya siku zijazo thabiti katika SIDS ni kipaumbele cha juu SIDS itazungumzia katika Mkutano wa Kimataifa wa 4th. Uwezo wa AI kukusanya, kusindika na kuchanganua data kubwa na inayotumia muda unaweza: kuandaa utabiri wa mabadiliko ya mazingira, kuruhusu utoaji wa mapema wa juhudi za kupunguza; kutabiri matukio ya hali ya juu, kuunda hatari za asili, kutambua ishara za onyo la mapema na kutoa msaada wa uamuzi wa kupunguza hatari ya maafa; na kusaidia kusimamia athari za maafa kwa kutathmini uzito wa hali na kusaidia wa kwanza kujibu. Hata hivyo, mifumo ya takwimu ya kitaifa (NSS) ya SIDS haijapata miundombinu ya data na ujuzi unaohitajika kusaidia matumizi ya teknolojia na uvumbuzi unaojitokeza. Maendeleo ya kiteknolojia na matumizi ya AI yataendelea, na SIDS zinahitaji kuwa tayari kuitumia kwa kuwa na mbinu ya kina ya maendeleo ya uwezo wa takwimu, uwekezaji, na ushirikiano wa kimkakati. Hatua za kwanza zinaweza kujumuisha kukuza data na ujuzi wa dijiti, kuwekeza katika miundombinu ya dijiti ili kuwezesha upatikanaji wa huduma zinazoendeshwa na AI. Utoaji wa data, upatikanaji wa mtandao wa kasi, kuhifadhi data na uwezo wa kompyuta ya wingu (Cloud Computing) na kushirikiana na washirika (kwa mfano, Vifaa vya AI vya Ujasusi: Kuwezesha uhamisho wa maarifa, fursa za ufadhili na upatikanaji wa zana za AI Meza ya Mzunguko ya kila mwaka ya SIDS, iliyoandaliwa katika ukingo wa Mkutano wa 55 wa Tume ya Takwimu ya Umoja wa Mataifa, inakusanya wawakilishi wa NSOs kutoka SIDS na mashirika ya kikanda na ya kimataifa ili kushiriki mazoea yao mazuri na maarifa juu ya jinsi ya kuandaa SIDS vizuri zaidi kutumia faida za data na AI kukabiliana na mabadiliko ya hali ya hewa na kufikia maendeleo endelevu. Mkutano huo umepangwa na Umoja wa Mataifa na Umoja wa Mataifa kwa ushirikiano na Jumuiya ya Karibea (CARICOM), Jumuiya ya Pasifiki (SPC) na Benki ya Maendeleo ya Karibea (CDB). Ni nini digital inaweza kuleta kwa NSE katika SIDS? - Je, kuna mifano ya matumizi ya AI katika takwimu rasmi au serikali katika SIDS? Jinsi gani NCS inaweza kuharakisha kujenga uwezo juu ya matumizi ya AI na teknolojia za dijiti? - Ni nini suluhisho katika ngazi za kikanda? Nchi za SIDS, CARICOM, SPC, PARIS21, UN DESA, UN OHRLLS, CDB