African Embassy Lecture Series: The Role of Science Diplomacy in Strengthening Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping societies, economies, and international relations. On 8 July 2026, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), the Embassy of Tunisia in Pretoria and the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) convened a high-level virtual embassy lecture on “The Role of Science Diplomacy in Strengthening Cooperation in Artificial Intelligence”. The session positioned AI as a strategic priority for both South Africa and Tunisia and demonstrated how science diplomacy can be leveraged to build trust, align ethical and regulatory approaches, and co-develop research, skills, and policy initiatives that benefit both countries and the wider continent.

The event attracted a global audience, with participants from South Africa, Tunisia, Algeria, China, Eritrea, Eswatini, Guinea, Indonesia, Iraq, Mauritania, Morocco, Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States of America, reflecting broad interest in African-led AI cooperation.

The session was convened under the chairmanship of Prof Pradeep Kumar, ASSAf member and academic at the University of the Witwatersrand, who served as Programme Director. Opening and welcome remarks were delivered by Prof Thokozani Majozi, ASSAf President; H.E. Mrs Karima Bardaoui, Ambassador of Tunisia to South Africa; Ms Mmampei Chaba, Chief Director for Multilateral and Africa Engagements at the DSTI; Dr Sepo Hachingota, Executive Head for Strategic Partnerships, Networking and Resourcing at the National Research Foundation (NRF); and Mr Malek Kochlef, Director General of International Cooperation in Tunisia’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

The keynote address was delivered jointly by Dr Martin Bekker, AI ethics researcher and computational social scientist at the University of the Witwatersrand, and Prof Nesrine Zoghlami, Vice President responsible for programmes, training and professional integration at the University of Tunis El Manar. Their presentations framed AI cooperation through the lenses of ethics, governance, skills development and innovation ecosystems, and highlighted concrete opportunities for joint research, mobility and co-designed curricula.

An interactive question-and-answer session enabled participants from government, academies, universities, research councils, embassies and the broader innovation community to probe issues such as data governance, regulatory harmonisation, infrastructure needs and mechanisms for sustaining long-term partnerships. The proposed way forward emphasised follow-up engagements and potential joint initiatives between South African and Tunisian institutions.

The lecture emphasised that successful cooperation is essential for Africa to effectively utilise AI in addressing critical development challenges. By strengthening science diplomacy and encouraging closer collaboration among African nations, the continent can establish a more cohesive and influential presence in international AI discussions, ensuring that emerging technologies correspond with African priorities and advance sustainability