GLOCEPS Participates in Transformative AI Ideation Workshop by the Southern Voice
The Southern Voice convened the Transformative AI Ideation Workshop to explore how countries in the Global South are responding to the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how they can collectively shape its future. Bringing together think tanks and policy experts, the workshop examined emerging developments in robotics, Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, and the broader opportunities and risks AI presents for developing countries.
Participants described AI as both transformative and disruptive, expressing optimism about its potential to accelerate innovation, improve public services, strengthen education systems, and drive economic growth. At the same time, discussions highlighted growing concerns over the region’s preparedness to manage the pace of AI advancement. Key vulnerabilities identified included limited capacity to develop homegrown AI models, weak regulatory frameworks, inadequate systems for monitoring AI risks, and low levels of digital literacy and AI education across many Global South countries.
A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the need to shift from reactive to anticipatory governance. Participants emphasized that developing countries must proactively shape AI policies and governance structures to ensure the technology supports inclusive and sustainable development outcomes while centering cultural contexts.
The workshop also underscored the critical role of think tanks in advancing AI governance and policy transformation. Participants noted that think tanks are uniquely positioned to translate complex technical data into actionable policy recommendations, simplify AI knowledge into accessible insights for policymakers and citizens, and convene governments, businesses, academia, and civil society around shared transformation agendas.
Through interactive Mentimeter sessions, participants proposed practical pathways for future collaboration. These included sharing existing scholarly AI outputs to identify common regional research themes, organizing workshops and forums for knowledge exchange, and creating thematic sub-groups to undertake collaborative AI research projects. Discussions referenced initiatives such as the GLOCEPS Securitization of Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Africa’s Youth breakfast meeting, which explored themes including AI and the creative economy, AI and militarization, and AI-enabled teaching and learning.
The workshop concluded with several key priorities for the Southern Voice network: mapping ongoing AI initiatives across the Global South, strengthening collaboration around practical AI applications for sustainable development, building a shared knowledge base on AI use across sectors and regions, and developing collective narratives that position the Global South not merely as recipients of technology, but as active contributors shaping AI-driven transformation.
The convener closed the meeting with a call to action, How Can Southern Voice as a Collective Position in this Topic of AI, while reaffirming that further engagements on the topic will continue.
