Press Release: Breaking the barriers between tech users, developers, and regulators at #UnderTheHood through a journey of discovery
For Immediate Release
24 July 2024
Breaking the barriers between tech users, developers, and regulators at #UnderTheHood through a journey of discovery
With the emergence of new technologies comes many questions about the imagined effects of said technologies. There is certainly always fear about the intended or unintended impact of these tools on the world that we live in. The fear about Generative AI tools was a hot topic in 2023, particularly with tools like GHAT GPT 4 emerging in the market. There were many fears about data privacy and the ‘rise of the machine’ among other things. Undoubtedly, there remains a lot of skepticism about tech tools and the people who develop them.
In tandem, there is also a lot of skepticism about regulators of technology in charge of protecting democracies and communities from irregular deployments of tech platforms. These lawmakers find themselves on the receiving end of much criticism for their lack of willingness to protect citizens from exploitative and invasive developments of technology.
There remains a big chasm between the end user, developers, regulators, and communities and as such there is much mystery around emerging technologies. The Civic Tech Innovation Forum provides an opportunity for tech developers, tech enthusiasts, lawmakers, and academics to engage face-to-face, learn about innovations, tools, and techniques, share experiences, and meet potential collaborators.
“This year at the Civic Tech Innovation Forum #UnderTheHood, we’re breaking down silos between tech users, developers and regulators. By fostering open dialogue, we can work together to harness the power of technology for a more equitable and democratic future”, said Mqondisi Mavundla, Civic Tech Innovation Network (CTIN) Programme Coordinator.
To this regard, this year’s forum will attempt to uncover what’s #UnderTheHood of:
Technology: What is “under the hood” of the emerging technologies vehicle, i.e., in the tech “black box”? In an age where trust, equity, and governance are in critical focus, we want to scrutinise tech – from questions of Al transparency (Al code, data, and algorithms), all the way to understanding and building opportunities for endogenous tech development and innovation. How can we actively side-step Africa being seen only as tech victims and consumers, to greater self-determination based on knowledge and empowerment?
Community: What is within our own ‘hoods or communities? How can we spot, build, and use our local creativity, energies, and resources to develop the capacities that we collectively want and need? Who are we waiting for?
Self: And what lies under our hoodies? What talents, skills, passions, and capabilities are held in those shadows that are often assumed to hold mischief and danger? Are we hoodlums or geniuses, activists, champions, creatives, and nurturers who can power a civic tech ecosystem for global positive change? What surprises lie in store under our own ‘hoods?
As per our tradition, this is a multilayered invitation to the African civic tech ecosystem and its supporters to consider the times and opportunities we are in. The conference will take place between the 28th and 31st of October 2024, at the Tshimologong Digital Innovation Precinct, in Johannesburg.
Civic Tech Innovation Forum 2024 key focus areas:
- #UnderTheHood of Democracy and Governance: Are we making any progress?
- #UnderTheHood of Development: Where are the civic tech opportunities, enablers, and disablers?
- #UnderTheHood of Culture and Creative Industries: Where does creativity [in tech] meet our social activism?
Registrations for the conference:
Register and join us as we discover what lies #UnderTheHood. Tickets are free.
About the organiser
CTIF is hosted by CTIN, a community made up of practitioners, leaders, activists, technologists, researchers, and public servants with an interest and commitment to leveraging the nexus between technology and civic activism.
The annual conferences are intended to enable the civic tech community and ecosystem actors to engage face-to-face, learn about innovations, tools, and techniques, share experiences, and meet potential collaborators.
For more information contact Nkosinathi Mcetywa at nkosinathi@civictech.africa
