The issue of preparing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) for a new era has drawn significant interest from Congolese practitioners since the onset of the 4th industrial revolution. Artificial Intelligence (AI) encompasses a wide range of applications and technologies, and a close examination of national AI strategies reveals that a successful AI ecosystem must include specific components such as applications, industrial base, educational settings, private companies, the government, talents, professional associations/industrial alliances, and consumers. This talk aims to address the question: "What is the current position of the DRC concerning these components in 2023?" Through an analysis of the DRC's situation, two key findings emerge. Firstly, it becomes evident that there is still a considerable journey ahead and efforts to be made in bolstering the AI ecosystem. Secondly, it is apparent that not all digital strategies in the DRC are adequately contextualized within the framework of the 4th industrial revolution. This discrepancy suggests a need for more targeted and focused initiatives to align the country's digital development with the rapidly evolving landscape of the 4th industrial revolution.
Philippe Faradja earned his Electronic Engineer degree from Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in South Africa in 2011. Subsequently, he pursued a dual Master's degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from ESIEE Paris/Amiens and Tshwane University of Technology, graduating in 2015. In 2020, he obtained his Doctor of Applied Sciences degree from Tiangong University in China. Currently, Philippe Faradja holds the position of professor at several universities, including “Université Protestante au Congo (UPC)”, “Université Loyola au Congo-ICAM (ULC-ICAM)”, “Université Révérend Kim (URKIM)”, “Université des Sciences et Technologies (USCITECH Kinshasa)”, “Université Officielle de Ruwenzori (UOR Butembo)”, and “Université Nouveaux Horizons (UNH Lubumbashi)”. Recognized for his intellectual contributions, Prof. Faradja initiated the series of conferences " RDC Face aux Technologies Emergentes” et “Science des données, Intelligence Artificielle et Internet des objets” in 2018. His engagement in the discussions on the "UNESCO AI Ethics Recommendation" showcases his commitment to the ethical dimensions of Artificial Intelligence. Additionally, he had the honor of being a speaker at the national launch of the application of these recommendations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Moreover, Philippe Faradja is an elected member of the Youth Academy of Sciences of the DRC, reflecting his dedication to fostering scientific advancement and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
