NATIONAL SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT

AI IS A POWERFUL TOOL FOR ACHEIVING THE SUSTAINANBLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

As the year approaches Youth Month, the National School of Government (NSG) in partnership with German Institute for Sustainability and Development (IDOS) hosted a three-day international Conference in Cape Town where local and international delegates discussed initiatives to harness the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and build public sector capacity for digitalisation.

Delegates were from South Africa and a number of international countries including Germany, China, India, Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia.

The conference started with a masterclass on Artificial Intelligence as a tool for accelerating the achievement of the SDGs. The hybrid session of the Masterclasswas led by Dr Reevana Balmahoon currently the AI and extended Reality Research Lead at the CSIR.

Dr Reevana mentioned mechanisms to accelerate achievement of the SDG’s including addressing the financing gap, building partnerships and collaboration, localised solutions, leveraging transformation and accelerating the use of technology for good. She also illustrated how AI can assist in planning our everyday lives from planning a trip to designing a selfcare routine.

Dr Kefiloe Masiteng from the United Nations office in South Africa shared South Africa’s experiences in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Another highlight was the MOU exchange between the NSG and IDOS. The collaboration aims to strengthen the capacity of Schools of Government or Schools of Public Administration to drive the sustainability agenda to ensure that “no one isleft behind”.

This is done through a number of initiatives including the annual participation in the Managing Global Governance Academy (MGG) and Conferences organised by IDOS; Exchange Programmes; Webinars and Masterclasses.

These initiatives convene public sector and civil society professionals from Brazil, China, Germany, India, Indonesia, Mexico and South Africa to shape future global leaders.

"This partnership signals the NSG’s ongoing commitment to use the power of collaboration to bolster efforts of public institutions as uniquely placed institutions to drive transformation and sustainable development in an increasingly complex world"- NSG Deputy Director-General, Dr. Botshabelo Maj

The second day of the conference was mainly packed with parallel sessions which focused mainly on capacity development for digitalisation and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The Conference concluded with the development of a capacity building action plan for the Schools of Government/Schools of Public Administration to fast-track skilling for digital capabilities to achieve the SDGs.

With only five years left to 2030, progress towards the achievement of the SDGs remains bleak, and capacity for the implementation of the goals need to be accelerated now more than ever. This calls for increased capacity in innovation and Artificial Intelligence.

About the National School of Government

The National School of Government (NSG) is mandated with the responsibility of ensuring that public servants comply with the provisions of established legislation, regulations and systems, and can exercise proper discretion and innovation in solving routine and complex delivery problems.

To this end, the NSG is tasked with ensuring that all public servants’ participate and complete education, training and development initiatives, as per relevant legislation and Cabinet directives. The NSG is furthermore expected to ensure service delivery impact by supporting institutional performance.

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E-mail Address: contactcentre@thensg.gov.za