Media Release – World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 2018
The 17th May marks the anniversary of the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention and the eventual creation of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Commemorated annually as the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD), the purpose this Day is to help raise awareness of the possibilities that the use of the Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can bring to societies and economies, as well as of ways to bridge the digital divide.
2018 Theme: Enabling the positive use of Artificial Intelligence for All
The WTISD 2018 commemoration under the theme “Enabling the positive use of Artificial Intelligence for All” focuses on the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to accelerate the achievement of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through AI, various solutions can be developed that address specific global challenges related to poverty, hunger, health, equality, education, the environment, amongst others.
AI is a branch of computer science where machines can sense, learn, reason, act and adapt to the real world, amplifying human capabilities and automating tedious or dangerous tasks. This technology is made possible by tremendous advances in contributing fields such as Big Data, Machine Learning, computing power, storage capacity and Cloud Computing, among others. AI-based technologies are already emerging as a key component of proactive tools and applications being used to help people lead better lives by improving healthcare, education, finance, agriculture, transportation, and a wide range of other services.
Speaking ahead of the event, the ITU Secretary-General Dr Houlin Zhao noted that in recent years there has been significant progress in AI technology and called for academia, researchers, industries, Administrations and Governments, UN Agencies, as well as other stakeholders and partners, to facilitate AI development to bring the benefits of AI to all.
While there are tremendous benefits delivered by AI in our lives, the world has to pay attention to the potential challenges posed by the technology. This calls for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to ensure safer AI applications for all.
In Botswana, stakeholders within the ICT sector, led by the Ministry of Transport and Communications (MTC) have converged at Mohembo village to commemorate the WTISD 2018 as well as the Girls in ICT Day 2018. As it has become the culture of the local WTISD commemorations, residents of Mohembo will benefit a windfall of ICTs activities as a way of promoting widespread use of ICTs in Botswana.
As part of the messages of the commemoration, MTC will also touch on the International Girls in ICT Day. Closely related to the WTISD, the Girls in ICT Day is celebrated annually to create a global environment that empowers and encourages girls and young women to consider studies and careers in the growing field of information and communication technologies (ICTs), Under the theme “Expanding horizons, Changing attitudes” International Girls in ICT Day 2018 is not just a global effort to help bridge the digital divide but also an opportunity to encourage young women and girls to pursue studies and careers in
science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Participation in ICTs are deemed to provide an enabling environment for girls and technology companies to reap the benefits of greater female participation in the ICT sector.
The ITU advocates and promotes the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to ensure women and girls have the necessary skills and tools to fully exploit the benefits of today’s digital economy. With improved access to these transformative technologies, women and girls can benefit from increased employment and business opportunities.
End of Message
For further questions, kindly contact:
Mr Aaron Nyelesi Tel: 713 137 65
nyelesi@bocra.org.bw
