Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL) has emphasised the urgent need for transparency, stakeholder inclusion, and ethical considerations in AI development to ensure it aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
He was addressing the 10th Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology, and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum 2025).
Under this year’s theme, “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, and evidence-based science and technology solutions for the SDGs”, Prof. Kponyo cautioned against deploying AI systems without accountability.
“We cannot approach AI as a black box,” he asserted. “Developers must prioritise openness to bridge the trust gap between creators and end-users, especially in developing economies.”
He stressed that AI must be co-developed with the communities it serves, rather than being imposed without consultation. “You cannot design solutions in isolation and expect adoption. Stakeholder engagement must begin at the design stage to ensure relevance and usability.”
A key concern raised by Prof. Kponyo was the exclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in AI innovation.
“Globally, 1.2 billion people, 15% of the world’s population, live with disabilities, yet most AI solutions fail to consider their needs,” he noted. “If we ignore these groups, technology will only widen existing inequalities.”
To counter this, he called for inclusive design frameworks, ensuring AI solutions are accessible to all and truly uphold the SDG principle of ‘leaving no one behind.’
He highlighted public scepticism as a major barrier to AI adoption, particularly among marginalised groups like smallholder farmers.
“If end-users don’t see tangible benefits, they won’t embrace AI,” he explained. “We must demonstrate how technology enhances productivity and livelihoods.”
Prof. Kponyo advocated integrating AI and coding into basic education, fostering early digital literacy. “To build an AI-aligned society, we must start at the grassroots, empowering students long before they reach university.”
Additionally, he emphasised cross-border collaboration through initiatives like AI for Development in Africa (AI4D), which promotes knowledge-sharing across the continent and beyond. “By learning from each other, we ensure AI solutions are scalable, relevant, and inclusive.”
