The Lab for Ethics, Policy and Scaling of AI (LEPSAI), of the African Center for Technology Studies (ACTS) invites eligible AI innovators to express their interest in participating in the AI4D Innovation scaling challenge. This project is intended to support deployed and in-use AI innovations that promise significant social impact and demonstrate readiness to scale. The innovation or solution must demonstrate readiness to scale beyond the current user base. Solutions must be beyond the proof-of-concept phase and be deployed under real-life conditions. Earlier-stage ideation-only concepts will not be considered at this time.

Responsible AI can tackle Africa’s development challenges, but scaling real-world solutions responsibly is critical. Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D) is a programme, supported by Canada’s International Development Research Centre and the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, that aims to foster safe, inclusive and responsible AI ecosystems that empower people and accelerate progress on critical development challenges. AI4D supports responsible AI ecosystems where experts across Sub-Saharan Africa are enabled to develop their own solutions to these challenges and mitigate AI risks through safe, inclusive, rights-based and sustainable AI applications and policies.

Launched initially as ‘AI4D Africa’ in 2020, the first phase of the programme laid a solid foundation by supporting responsible AI policies, multidisciplinary research, and innovative use cases across the African continent. Building on this success, AI4D entered its second phase in 2024. At its core, AI4D seeks to contribute to two critical outcomes:

• Scaling innovation: Supporting and expanding impactful AI applications that address key development challenges, such as gender inequality and environmental sustainability.
• Shaping policy: Establishing responsible AI policies and regulations that minimize harm and promote inclusivity, ethics, sustainability, and human rights.

The Innovation scaling challenge of AI4D is an initiative that supports the appropriate scaling of responsible AI innovations that can have a demonstrated impact in priority sectors and domains. These include education, climate change mitigation and adaptation, agriculture and food security, and solutions that reduce inequality, including those focused on gender inequality, disabilities, and vulnerable communities. This project engages the LEPSAI lab to guide scaling efforts, provide technical assistance and collaboration with innovators, and develop use cases, advancing an inclusive AI ecosystem across the continent.

Eligibility criteria

Eligible applicants include the following:

1. Individual researchers and innovators.
2. AI startups and MSMEs/SMEs.
3. Research institutions and Universities that are engaged in AI Research and Development.
4. Consortia comprising multiple stakeholders working collaboratively on AI solutions.

Submission Guidelines

Applicants should fill the template provided on submittable HERE. The template shall constitute of;

• Applicant profile: Background information, including relevant experience and ability to develop an AI solution.
• Project Concept Note: A concise description of the AI Innovation Scaling, targeted challenges, objectives, implementation plans, and expected outcomes.
• An initial self-administered responsible AI and scaling assessment.