By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Senegal and China are laying
the groundwork for deeper cooperation in artificial intelligence, professional
training and audiovisual development following Senegal’s participation in the
7th China-Africa Media Cooperation Forum in Beijing.
The forum brought together
stakeholders to discuss the future of Africa’s media industry, with particular
attention to the application of artificial intelligence, skills development and
the creation of a stronger continental audiovisual sector.
Representing Senegal was
Mouhamadou Moustapha Thioune, Secretary General of the Ministry of
Communication and Relations with Institutions, who conveyed Senegal’s position
during engagements with Chinese authorities, including the Publicity Department
of the Communist Party of China, the National Radio and Television
Administration and Beijing authorities.
Thioune called for greater
African technological autonomy, arguing that the continent should move beyond
consuming emerging technologies and develop the capacity to master and deploy
them for its own development priorities.
He proposed the
establishment of African artificial intelligence hubs dedicated to training
media professionals and strengthening the continent’s capacity to develop and
apply AI technologies within the media sector.
The discussions also
highlighted the potential of technology to modernise audiovisual production,
promote African cinema and strengthen efforts to preserve the continent’s
audiovisual archives and cultural heritage.
The engagement with China
also comes as African countries seek to build greater capacity in emerging
technologies while expanding the continent’s role in global media and
audiovisual production.
