Nairobi
Kenya
- Angel Draev
- Ghazi Mabrouk
- Gustavo Fonseca Ribeiro
- Marie Anne Lise Tan
- Prateek Sibal
Intermediate
Event Organizer(s)
Supported by
Description
Inspired by the UNESCO Framework on AI and Digital Transformation for Civil Servants, this course provides an introduction to AI with a focus on its application in the public service. Participants will be guided through the entire process of devising AI-based services in the public sector. Lessons will cover not just the functional aspects of this application but also the governance and ethical aspects of the process to offer a holistic point of view. The content of this course is built on the AI4Gov Master Programme, formerly supported by the EU and offered by Universidad Politécnica de Madrid and Politecnico di Milano.
With the generous support of the Global Gateway initiative of the European Union, this course is offered for free for selected participants. This includes accommodation, meals, and other organized activities. Participants or their organizations will be responsible for covering their travel expenses to Nairobi, Kenya, and if necessary, visa application costs.
This course is designed for government officials, policymakers, regulators, ICT professionals, experts from national schools of public administration interested in learning about the fundamentals of AI and its use and governance in the public sector.
The number of participants on this course is limited to 30.
Members of the above-mentioned target population are invited to apply for the training if they meet the following criteria:
- Hold an undergraduate degree in a relevant field like public administration, public policy, social sciences, engineering or have a minimum of two years of experience working in or with the public sector on technology policy or public services design, including artificial intelligence.
- Possess a fluent level of English.
- Complete the application questionnaire available on the ITU Academy.
Government officials and policymakers from developing countries, particularly women, are encouraged to apply. Selection will be conducted by the course organizers, who will consider the above entry requirements along with an analysis of the application questionnaire of each applicant.
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:
- Describe AI systems and identify their core components
- Relate AI systems to present-day use cases in the public sector
- Assess the risks and implications of an AI system
- Develop the concept of an AI-based service in the public sector
Pre-Training Preparation: Participants will receive mandatory and complementary short readings and videos ahead of the training. As this is an intermediate course, they are expected to go over these materials, take notes, and come prepared to apply and build upon the concepts during the sessions.
Training Approach: Participants begin with an introduction to AI and its public sector applications through case studies and interactive lectures. Once foundational concepts—AI, ethical governance, and design thinking—are covered, they will engage in guided activities to apply their learning in practice. Throughout the program participants progressively follow the process of devising an AI-based service in the public sector through groupwork. This groupwork will enable participants to demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter by presenting a public service based on AI and sharing plans on the suggested governance of their service. The course blends theoretical learning with applied practical groupwork. In the end, participants will take a final quiz covering the program’s content and deliver their groupwork final presentation. This will be graded, and feedback provided by the instructors.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration: The learning objectives of this course require participants to engage with content and groupwork that span multiple domains—policy, management, and technical expertise. Given the varied backgrounds of participants, some concepts may feel familiar, while others may present a challenge. This is intentional. The groupwork is designed to mirror the dynamics of real-world, cross-functional teams essential to implementing AI projects. Participants are expected to draw on each other’s strengths, complement gaps in expertise, and practice collaborative problem-solving across disciplines.
- Final Quiz - 40%
- Groupwork and Final Presentation - 60%
A total score of 70% or higher is required to obtain the certificate.
Day 1 – Tuesday, 19 May
Module 1: Introduction to AI in the Public Sector
- Opening & Ice-breaking
- Digital transformation challenges in government
- AI use cases in the public sector
- AI procurement and adoption basics
- AI project lifecycle & data fundamentals
Day 2 – Wednesday, 20 May
Module 2: AI Fundamentals
- Core AI concepts and types of AI systems
- Group work: identifying policy problems and relevant AI use cases
Module 3: Public Service Design and AI
- Design thinking and human-centric AI services
- Group work: translating user needs into AI and service requirements
Day 3 – Thursday, 21 May
- Group work: designing AI-based public services and roadmaps
Module 4: AI Governance
- AI ethics, human rights, and governance principles
- Global regulatory approaches to AI
- Group work: consolidating AI-based service concepts
Day 4 – Friday, 22 May
Module 5: Developing AI-Based Public Services
- Impact and ethical assessment of AI systems
- Final group work, presentations, and peer feedback
- Certification and closing session
Financial support available
Registration information
Unless specified otherwise, all ITU Academy training courses are open to all interested professionals, irrespective of their race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, economic status and other diverse backgrounds. We strongly encourage registrations from female participants, and participants from developing countries. This includes least developed countries, small island developing states and landlocked developing countries.
