By:
Nana Appiah Acquaye
The
GSMA MENA team, in partnership with the Arab Information and Communication
Technologies Organization (AICTO), has brought together policymakers,
regulators, government officials, mobile operators, and digital ecosystem
stakeholders in Tunis, for a series of high-level engagements focused on
artificial intelligence and connectivity.
The
discussions come at a time when artificial intelligence is increasingly
reshaping economies and industries, reinforcing the need to equip policymakers
and regulators with robust governance frameworks to unlock its full potential
while ensuring trust, accountability, and inclusive growth.
A
key highlight of the programme was a GSMA capacity-building session on Mobile
Connectivity and the AI Revolution, which provided participants with practical
insights into AI fundamentals, its impact on the mobile ecosystem and other
industries, as well as emerging approaches to AI governance and regulation. The
session also explored responsible AI principles and the importance of enabling
policy environments that foster innovation.
The
training, led by Jo Gilbert, underscored the need for regulatory frameworks
that strike a balance between accelerating innovation and safeguarding public
trust and accountability in the deployment of AI technologies.
The
programme also featured a CxO Roundtable on 5G as a Catalyst for Tunisia’s
Digital Future, led by Dr. Nadia Brahmi, alongside a CTO Outreach session led
by Fayez A. These engagements provided a platform for industry leaders to
examine how 5G, artificial intelligence, and cross-sector collaboration can
drive digital transformation and economic growth across the region.
Participants
emphasized that the convergence of AI and advanced connectivity will be central
to shaping future digital economies, particularly in Africa and the Arab
region, where inclusive and sustainable digital development remains a strategic
priority.
GSMA
and AICTO expressed appreciation to all participants for their contributions,
noting that continued collaboration between governments, industry, and the
broader digital ecosystem will be essential to building a resilient and
innovation-driven AI future.
