SPECIAL PROJECTS ALT Advisory led special projects promoting positive change in Africa
ALT AI
Safeguarding fundamental rights in an AI-driven future
ALT Advisory launched a series of research output on artificial intelligence (AI) with the objective of mapping the state of AI governance in Africa, testing transparency mechanisms in relation to AI and data privacy, and assessing frameworks for safeguarding fundamental rights in the planning and implementation of AI in South Africa and regionally. The research includes:
- AI Governance in Africa, an overview of the state of policy and governance measures for artificial intelligence in 55 African countries in order to measure progress at a regional level and identify current gaps and opportunities. Mapping the applicable laws, policies and other regulatory frameworks regarding AI.
- Failure to Access, an applied research project to test data protection and access to information procedures among prominent companies and government agencies in South Africa in relation to AI and data processing.
- A.I. Impact, an overview of resources and frameworks for AI impact assessments to guide policymakers and practitioners seeking to protect human rights in the deployment of artificial intelligence.
URL: https://ai.altadvisory.africa
Status: Launched; Research ongoing
Promoting rights-based technology innovation
DATA PROTECTION AFRICA
Africa’s Data Privacy Resource
Data Protection Africa is an online open-access portal that provides information on data protection laws and access to data protection authorities in 32 African countries.
URL: https://dataprotection.africa
Status: Launched; Development ongoing
Developing international human rights law
DEMOCRACY 2.0
Leveraging technology to secure and improve democratic processes
The Democracy 2.0 project seeks to determine:
- How to make democracy appropriate for a time of social media, global connectivity, digital communication, artificial intelligence, and data-driven surveillance.
- How we right the course towards full and equal participation for all, and prevent degradation into populism or minority rule, despite the numerous new challenges.
Status: Ongoing
Safeguarding information rights and privacy in Africa
DECONSTRUCT
Limiting the scourge of gender-based violence online
Deconstruct is a special project that is managed by Power & Associates, an ALT Advisory partner organisation. It seeks to “deconstruct” the law and provide accessible and meaningful legal resources to the public. Deconstruct is currently focusing on preparing resources to limit the scourge of gender-based violence online.
URL: https://powerlaw.africa/deconstruct/
Status: Launched!
Working for positive change around the world
ENDGBV.AFRICA
Monitoring gender-based violence responses in Africa
Endgbv.africa was created to monitor countries’ responses to gender-based violence (GBV) on- and offline during the COVID-19 pandemic (and beyond). It identifies gaps in law and policy and advocates for positive social social change.
Status: Launched; Development ongoing
Developing Africa’s information rights landscape
INTERNET IN SCHOOLS
Promoting access to the internet in South African schools
ALT Advisory, in association with the Global Human Rights Clinic at the University of Chicago Law School, Acacia Economics, and Media Monitoring Africa completed a two-year research project from 2018-2020 on internet access in South African schools. The findings of the research have been published in a research report titled: “Access Denied: Internet Access and the Right to Education in South Africa“.
URL: https://internetaccess.africa
Status: Launched!
Safeguarding information rights and privacy in Africa
ONLINE HATE IN KENYA
Developing human rights responses to online hate speech in one of Africa’s biggest democracies
ALT Advisory and the Allard K. Lowenstein International Human Rights Clinic at Yale Law School undertook research on the causes and possible mitigants to online ethnic-based hate speech in Kenya. Drawing on over 30 stakeholder interviews and analysis of local and international law, the research identified a set of recommendations for policymakers, regulators, and social media platforms to address the spread of online hate speech in Kenya.
Report: A human rights response to online ethnic hate speech in Kenya
Status: Launched
Developing the private-public interest law model
OUR FUNDERS
Creating sustainable partnerships in the digital age
ALT Advisory’s Special Projects are jointly funded by the ALT Advisory Public Interest Fund, Luminate, and the Open Society Foundation.
