Data and AI Panel

Chair

Dr. Emmanuel Olamijuwon

Lecturer
University of St Andrews
Scotland, UK

Vice Chair

Dr. Kristefer Stojanovski

Assistant Professor
Celia Scott Weatherhead School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine
Tulane University
USA

Panel Advisor 

Basile O. Tambashe, Ph.D.

Professor of Population and Development Sciences

University of Kinshasa (ESPD).

Members 

Dr. Aurelien Kamdem Yeyouomo

Researcher
Centre for Finance and Development
Geneva Graduate Institute
Switzerland

Dr. Chigozie Azunna

Development Practitioner
University of South Africa
South Africa

Dr. Mercy Shoko

Demographer
Statistics South Africa
South Africa

Dr. Brice Kamguia

Lecturer
University of Yaoundé II

Dr. Bylhah Mugotitsa

Health Data Scientist
African Population and Health Research Centre (APHRC)
Kenya

Mr. Norman Makunika

Demographer and Lecturer
Midlands State University
Zimbabwe.

Dr. Arlette Simo Fotso

Researcher
Institut National d’Études Démographiques (INED) and Dean of the European Doctoral School of Demography
France

Dr. Justin Dansou

Assistant Professor
School of Statistics, Planning and Demography, University of Parakou, Bénin

DESCRIPTION

The Data and AI Thematic Panel brings together cross-disciplinary experts to explore current and emerging uses of AI in African demographic research, foster collaboration, build capacity, and develop ethical, context-specific guidance for responsible AI adoption in population science.

 

PANEL OBJECTIVE

The Panel aims to

  • Explore the role of AI and data science in strengthening population data systems, including planning, enumeration, analysis, and dissemination of census operations, surveys, and administrative data integration.
  • Share cutting-edge tools, frameworks, and methodologies for applying machine learning, natural language processing, geospatial analysis, and other computational techniques to demographic research.
  • Evaluate the opportunities and risks of adopting AI in official statistics and national data ecosystems
  • Propose ethical and technical guidelines for responsible AI use, emphasizing transparency, fairness, and community trust.

THEMATIC AREAS OF FOCUS

The Panel will focus on, but is not limited to, the following areas:

AI in Census and Survey Methodology

  • Investigate the use of AI for survey design, automated data collection, quality assurance, and post-enumeration analysis.
  • Explore the use of AI tools for predictive modeling and real-time data validation.

 

Data Governance and Ethics

  • Examine legal, ethical, and regulatory frameworks governing the use of AI in demographic data, including data sovereignty, consent, and protection.
  • Recommend approaches for mitigating algorithmic bias and ensuring equitable outcomes.

 

  • Data Integration and Innovation
  • Support interoperability across administrative data systems, satellite imagery, mobile phone data, and traditional datasets using AI-driven techniques.
  • Identify use cases for AI in improving disaggregation, forecasting, and spatial analysis of population trends.

 

Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening

  • Promote digital literacy, data science training, and AI readiness among African NSOs, universities, and research institutions.
  • Develop resources and partnerships to support sustained adoption of AI in data ecosystems.
  • Policy Influence and Public Engagement
  • Translate insights into accessible policy briefs and guidelines for governments, regional bodies, and civil society organizations.

Encourage transparent public discourse on AI and data ethics, including community participation in shaping national data strategies

Programme of Activities

 

Interactive Launch Event 

 

Date: 10th December 2025

Time: 14:00 UTC

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xUJruLHdTY6QkBPh4hpjzQ