Empowering Côte d’Ivoire’s Parliament to harness AI for more inclusive public policy

From May 19th to 21st, 2025, IDinsight and CLEAR FA led a pioneering workshop on “Artificial Intelligence and the Optimization of Public Policy Evaluation Centered on the Rights of Children, Adolescents, and Youth”. This event, organized by the Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) function of the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Côte d’Ivoire National Assembly, and UNICEF, featured nearly 100 participants—including Members of Parliament (MPs), senators, national and international experts. The sessions aimed to demystify AI, showcase global best practices, address ethical and legal concerns, and lay a roadmap for integrating AI into parliamentary processes, especially to benefit children, adolescents, and youth. It marked a significant step toward modernizing governance in Côte d’Ivoire.

Building on the momentum of the 2022 public policy evaluation law, Côte d’Ivoire is now exploring how AI can further enhance policy effectiveness and responsiveness for its younger generations. The workshop was designed to empower MPs with the knowledge and tools to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital innovations.

“We are entering a new era where data and smart technologies are transforming how we work. Artificial intelligence is already a reality. In the field of evaluation, it allows for faster, deeper analysis, modeling of complex scenarios, identification of inefficiencies, and forecasting policy outcomes. Used ethically and in context, AI can significantly boost the impact of public policies.”

 

— Karen Rot-Münstermann, Evaluator General of the African Development Bank and Head of IDEV

The training covered a range of topics designed to equip participants with the practical knowledge and skills needed to use AI effectively to strengthen and expedite parliamentary processes. The sessions included:

1. Demystifying AI and Showcasing Global Best Practices

Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of AI, machine learning, and generative AI, and explored how these technologies are already transforming parliaments and public institutions worldwide. Real-world examples from Brazil, Nigeria, Kenya, India, Morocco, Rwanda, and beyond illustrate how AI can improve efficiency by automating administrative tasks, summarizing complex legislative documents, analyzing citizen feedback, predicting policy impacts, and enhancing transparency and citizen engagement.

2. Hands-On Learning and Practical Demonstrations

The workshop featured interactive sessions where MPs experimented with tools like ChatGPT for generating policy summaries and dynamic data visualizations. These hands-on modules highlighted both the power and the limitations of AI, sparking ideas for practical applications in Côte d’Ivoire’s own legislative context.

3. Addressing Ethical, Legal, and Technical Challenges

A central focus was placed on the ethical and legal dimensions of AI. Participants discussed the best approaches to protecting personal data and privacy, ensuring algorithmic transparency, preventing bias and discrimination, and safeguarding the rights of children and vulnerable groups.

International experiences—including the EU’s AI Act, Benin’s national AI strategy, and Nigeria’s data protection laws—were discussed as models for Côte d’Ivoire’s evolving legal framework.

4. Developing a Roadmap for Sustainable AI Integration

A key outcome of the workshop was the co-creation of a draft roadmap for integrating AI into parliamentary processes. This roadmap emphasizes:

• Assessment and Awareness: Inventorying current infrastructure and AI initiatives, and raising awareness among MPs and staff.
• Governance and Planning: Establishing a parliamentary AI task force, appointing focal points, and conducting feasibility studies.
• Pilot Projects: Using AI to automate the parliamentary calendar, summarize debates for citizens, and support the upcoming budget session.
• Capacity Building: Ongoing training and partnerships with universities and tech experts.
• Legal and Ethical Frameworks: Adapting laws to ensure data protection, transparency, and responsible AI use.
• Evaluation and Scaling: Regularly assessing AI’s impact and sharing best practices.

“This initiative reinforces the role of parliamentarians in continuously improving public policy. By integrating AI, we are advancing toward smarter, more inclusive governance that better responds to the needs of children and youth.”

 

— Jean-François Basse, UNICEF Representative in Côte d’Ivoire

This workshop is only the beginning. It sets the stage for a structured, ongoing capacity-building program supported by IDEV, UNICEF, and the African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE). The goal: to foster a robust ecosystem for evidence-based policymaking and implementation across Africa.

“By enabling this workshop, in line with the recommendations of the 49th Session of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (APF), the National Assembly is demonstrating its firm commitment to transforming our evaluation systems. We stand with all institutions working to make AI a tool for social progress, justice, and the protection of children.”

 

— Maurice Kacou Guikahué, Vice-President of the National Assembly of Côte d’Ivoire

As African countries strive to modernize governance and improve development outcomes, empowering parliaments with data-driven tools like AI is essential. Through this initiative, Côte d’Ivoire is positioning itself at the forefront of AI-driven, child-centered policy evaluation, ensuring that the voices and needs of its youngest citizens are at the heart of public decision-making.

For more information or partnership opportunities, contact us via inquire@idinsight.org