The AI Policy Playbook: Navigating AI Policy Development through an African and Asian Lens
"The AI Policy Playbook offers a practical guide for governments in Africa and Asia to develop responsible and context-specific AI policies. Drawing from real-world policymaking experiences in seven countries, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, India, and Indonesia, the playbook shares lessons learned and concrete recommendations. It emphasizes the importance of local ownership, diverse stakeholder engagement, capacity building, and pragmatic policy design. The playbook challenges one-size-fits-all approaches, urging policymakers to align AI strategies with national priorities, existing legal frameworks, and available resources. It also outlines flexible policy tools and frameworks that accommodate evolving technologies and political environments. Backed by FAIR Forward and the AI Policymaker Network, this document supports peer learning and south-south cooperation, contributing to more inclusive, ethical, and sustainable AI ecosystems across the Global South." (https://www.globalcenter.ai)
Introduction: Countries’ self-determination in shaping their AI ecosystems, 3
Methodology: Creation of this playbook, 6
Summary of key findings, 8
DEEP DIVE: CHALLENGES AND PROPOSALS BASED ON KEY FINDINGS, 11
The development of AI ecosystems should follow the needs of that country, 12
AI policymaking initiatives should be pragmatic, concrete, and operational by design, 16
Diverse stakeholder groups should shape AI policy and be truly heard, 20
Policymakers and policy influencers should build sufficient AI familiarity and capacity, 24
Epilogue of AI policy: What comes next? 27
AI policy quick tips, 30
THE COUNTRY VIEW: AI POLICY SNAPSHOT, 34
Republic of Ghana, 35
Republic of India, 38
Republic of Indonesia, 41
Kenya, 44
Republic of Rwanda, 47
Republic of South Africa, 51
Uganda, 55
Annexure: Policy mapping (status as of February 2025), 59
Methodology: Creation of this playbook, 6
Summary of key findings, 8
DEEP DIVE: CHALLENGES AND PROPOSALS BASED ON KEY FINDINGS, 11
The development of AI ecosystems should follow the needs of that country, 12
AI policymaking initiatives should be pragmatic, concrete, and operational by design, 16
Diverse stakeholder groups should shape AI policy and be truly heard, 20
Policymakers and policy influencers should build sufficient AI familiarity and capacity, 24
Epilogue of AI policy: What comes next? 27
AI policy quick tips, 30
THE COUNTRY VIEW: AI POLICY SNAPSHOT, 34
Republic of Ghana, 35
Republic of India, 38
Republic of Indonesia, 41
Kenya, 44
Republic of Rwanda, 47
Republic of South Africa, 51
Uganda, 55
Annexure: Policy mapping (status as of February 2025), 59