Presentations

Presentations on artificial intelligence:

  • Paper Presentation: “Canada-Africa Engagement on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights” at the conference on Canada’s Rights Role in Sub-Saharan Africa (CARRISSA) in Pretoria, South Africa, hosted by the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, together with York University, Canada. This conference is under the CARRISSA Partnership Development Project at Osgoode Hall Law School, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, which is funded by the Canadian Social Science and Humanities Research Council. (Conference: July 4th and 5th, 2022, Pretoria, South Africa). 
  • Speaking invitation by the Federal Senate of Brazil to speak to the country of Brazil on challenges in artificial intelligence regulation, and to contribute to the Brazilian lawmaking on AI, particularly making commentary and contribution to Bill of Law No. 872 of 2021; Bill of Law No. 21 of 2020; Bill of Law No. 5051 of 2019 (draft bills on regulating AI in Brazil). On behalf of the Jurists Commission established by the Brazilian Federal Senate to support the preparation of a substitute draft proposal for a Brazilian regulatory framework for artificial intelligence. “Challenges in Artificial Intelligence Regulation: international contribution to the Brazilian lawmaking process” Panel: Challenges in Artificial Intelligence regulation: comparative experiences. (June 9th and 10th, 2022).  
  • Paper presentation, commentary and discussant, 11th Intensive Doctoral Week (IDW), Sciences Po, 27 Rue Saint-Guillaume, 75007 Paris, France. IDW is a co-organized initiative led by Sciences Po Law School and Law and Political Science Doctoral School of Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense University (France) as well as a great number of partners in the world. (13th – 17th June 2022). Paper presentation topic: “Masquerade Dance in Tennis Shoes: On the Legitimization of Artificial Intelligence and its Effects on Human Rights in Anglophone Africa” Discussant and commentator to the paper: “Law as Code: Towards an Information Theory of Law” https://www.sciencespo.fr/ecole-de-droit/en/news/intensive-doctoral-week.html 
  • Workshop presentation “Building Blocks for Multi-stakeholder AI Policy Process” (18th January 2022), hosted by UNESCO and the Innovation for Policy Foundation (i4Policy) to validate the ten building blocks for inclusive AI policies developed through a collective intelligence process that involved five multistakeholder workshops with representatives from academia, civil society, governments and the private sector: https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/technology/1895922-unesco-i4policy-host-virtual-workshop-to-validate-ten-building-blocks-for-inclusive-ai-policies 
  • Expert Contributor, “AI and Human Rights” at the UNESCO and i4Policy Participatory Processes for the Design of AI Policies – Expert meeting (September 28th and 29th, 2021). The workshop explored the vision, tactics, and results of the ROAM-X indicators (Rights, Openness, Accessibility and Multi-stakeholder indicators). The overarching goal was to test, improve and institutionalize AI governance that is aligned with Human Rights, Openness, Accessibility and Multi-stakeholder approach to govern the development and use of AI ethically. See report here: https://en.unesco.org/news/artificial-intelligence-experts-and-policymakers-discuss-inclusion-ai-policy-development 
  • Discussant, “Panel 2 – Human Rights and AI Governance Regimes: Standard-setting for and by private businesses” at the Artificial Intelligence: The New Frontier of Business and Human Rights Conference by Asser Institute, The Hague, Netherlands, and the Business and Human Rights Working Group of the Netherlands Network for Human Rights Research. 7th and 8th September 2021. 
  • Speaker and Panelist, 1st African Legal Conference on Sustainable Development Goals and Agenda 2063 (ALCSA), Thursday and Friday 29th – 30th July 2021. Topic: “New Technologies, Respect for Human Rights, Peace and Justice in Africa”. The theme for the ALCSA is “Achieving the Pan-African Vision for Peace, Justice and Sustainable Development”. Organized by Goals Afrika, this is in pursuit of attaining the Pan African Vision of “An integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens, representing a dynamic force in the international arena”
  • Contributor, Mapping Science-Based Law & Governance Innovations for Climate Action & the Global Sustainable Development Goals Across Canada. 28th of July 2021 (9:00 – 11:00am). International Experts Work Session with Prof. Marie-Claire Cordonier Segger (University of Waterloo), Prof. Kate Larson PhD (Carnegie Mellon University), Blessing Ajayi (University of Waterloo), Marvin Pafla (University of Waterloo), Freedom-Kai Phillips (Cambridge University), Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, (Osgoode), Yizhou Yu (Cambridge), Prof. Emmanuella Doussis, (University of Athens), Prof. Richard Janda, (McGill University), Dr. Alexandra Harrington, Dr. Markus Gehring, Dr. Courtney Doagoo, Mikka Alon (Cambridge) and Jenny Yang (Oxford). I spoke at two sessions: “Evaluating Laws for their SDG Contributions” and “Activating Artificial Intelligence to Assess Legal Contributions to the SDGs”
  • Paper Presentation (Doctoral Consortium) 25th June 2021 “An African Perspective on Answering the Ethics Question: Who Should Make the Rules on Self-Driving Cars?” 18th International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Law 2021 (21 – 25th June 2021). The ICAIL conference is the primary international conference addressing research in Artificial Intelligence and Law, and has been organized biennially since 1987 under the auspices of the International Association for Artificial Intelligence and Law (IAAIL). ICAIL provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of the latest research results and practical applications; it fosters interdisciplinary and international collaboration. https://icail.lawgorithm.com.br 
  • Agenda 2063: Legitimizing Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights in Africa (24 June 2021) Reimagining Agenda 2063: A Socio-Legal Foundation of the Africa We Want (Peter A. Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, Canada; Liu Network of Africa; Institute for African Women and Law) Session 9: Technology and Development. http://blogs.ubc.ca/reimaginingagenda2063/2063-reimagined-the-blog/ 
  • Panelist and Presenter, “From the streets to Twitter: Changing landscapes of protests and liberation in 21st century Africa and Possibilities” (8 June 2021) Canadian Association of African Studies Conference 2021, Western University, Canada (with Grace Adeyini-Ogunyankin, Sylvia Bawa, Wumi Asubiaro-Dada, Jake O. Effoduh, Kemi Obando, et al). https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/caas/conference2021/tuesday/14/ 
  • Presenter/Speaker, Venture Out Tech Conference 2020, Toronto, Canada. “Artificial intelligence and LGBTI Rights” (19th – 20th March 2020).
  • Speaker and Panelist, “Technology and Human Rights in Africa” (alongside Prof Frans Viljoen, Director Center for Human Rights, University of Pretoria and 3 others). Expert Panel session at the 67th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. 18th November 2020. 
  • Keynote Speaker at the12th episode of the Green Room by the Green Institute: “Human Rights, Artificial Intelligence and Sustainable Development: Putting Justice and Accountability at the Core of Governance.” This is a conference spearheaded by renowned sustainability leaders in different professions around the world (20th November 2020). 

Other recent Presentations

  • Workshop: “The Digitalizing Continent – Examining Challenges and Opportunities of Digital Transformation for Africa” (July 13th, 2022). This Workshop is a follow up to the call for papers between the Competence Center for African Research (CCAR), University of St Gallen and Afronomicslaw.org. The Workshop examined the ongoing effort towards digital transformation, and particularly E-Commerce in Africa. https://www.afronomicslaw.org/category/news-and-events/workshop-digitalizing-continent-examining-challenges-and-opportunities Panel I: Digitalization & human rights (13:50 – 15:20 European Time) Discussants: Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University; Dr. Isabel Ebert, University of St.Gallen & UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, B-Tech Project; Ikechukwu Uzoma, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. Panelists: “The emerging role of African sub-regional courts in fostering human rights on the Internet” Christopher Yaw Nyinevi, Monash University & Yohannes En-eyew Ayalew, Monash University. Comment by: Jake Okechukwu Effoduh, Osgoode Hall Law School, York University. 
  • Speaker, Climate Reality Project Incubator 2022 “Reforestation, Sensitization and Dialogue” 2022 Climate Reality Project Incubator Week 5 session: Sustaining the Project’s Future. Spoke based on the success of the tree-planting project in Abuja, Nigeria (Wednesday, May 25th, 2022) https://express.adobe.com/page/aCqW7YE5R8A19/ 
  • Keynote speaker: “Is peacebuilding a matter of education?” at MOVHERS organized by Girl MOVE, a Grassroots Leadership Academy that, through its innovative educational models, amplifies talent, promotes gender equality, and generates sustainable transformation by empowering young women to become the new generation of Changemakers, through a disruptive mentoring model that sees young woman as  “mana” to change the world (sisterhood made up of girls of different ages, causes and talents, who lift each other up to make a difference, first in Mozambique and later in the world). Interview hosted from Poland, delivered online in Toronto, Canada (Tuesday, May 24th, at 6pm GMT). Discussion was premised on peace, education, human rights and integration. https://www.girlmove.org 
  • Speaking Consultation, The Digital Welfare State and Human Rights Project: “Identification for Development? Understanding the role of the World Bank in defining, promoting, supporting, and funding national digital ID systems.” This consultation brought together experts from academia and civil society to discuss the diverse ways in which the World Bank Group has shaped the discourse and practice around national digital ID systems. These discussions fed into a research project that seeks to deepen understanding and catalyze discussion of the Bank’s role in this area (March 21st and 22nd 2022). https://chrgj.org/focus-areas/technology/ 
  • Panelist and Presenter, “The importance of the United Nations Mapping Report (DRC) and setting up an International Criminal Court in the Congo” (24th April 2021) organized by H2O Congo (an international organization formed in 2009 and focuses on bringing free education, healthcare, and housing to young mothers in the Congo). Recording available here: https://fb.watch/5h4uHI2zsN/ 
  • Moderator and Presenter, “International World Creativity and Innovation Day: Sustainable Development Goal 16” (April 21, 2021) organized by Accountability Lab International (Nigeria) and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy (CISLAC) with focus on problem-solving and raising awareness of the role of creativity and innovation in the context SDG Goal 16 – particularly on Justice and Strong Institutions.
  • Speaker and Panelist, “Why Black History (Month) Matters” organized by the Faculty of Graduate Studies at York University (25th of February 2021 from 12:00-1:30 pm). Other speakers include Thomas Loebel, Dean & Associate Vice President, York University; Gertrude Mianda, Director of Harriet Tubman Institute & Professor, Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, York University; and, Camellia Bryan, PhD Candidate and Elia Scholar, Schulich School of Business. This conference was put together in honour and celebration of Black History Month, and in lieu of the importance in continuing the conversation around Black history, cultural and lived experiences.
  • Presenter and Discussant, “Human Rights in Nigeria: Social and Legal Intervention” Live discussion online by NOI Polls Nigeria on the expert series titled #TheResponseStrategy (11am – 1pm GMT+1) https://noi-polls.com (3rd of July 2020)
  • Guest Speaker, “Human Rights – The Legal Perspectives on Rape in Nigeria: Facts and Reality” The new development of laws around rape in Nigeria, consent, victimhood, and the sociocultural norms influencing rape cases in Nigeria. (2nd August 2020)
  • Country Representative (Nigeria), United Nations 75th Anniversary. In celebration of #GlobalGoalsWeek 2020 (22nd September 2020). 
  • Panelist, “CANL’S #ENDSARS Panel Discussion: Good Governance: Equity, Transparency and Accountability as tools for reforms in Nigeria” This event was held following the ongoing protests in Nigeria against police brutality tagged #EndSARS and considering the recent atrocities against Nigerian civilians committed by members of the Nigerian Military and the Nigerian Police force. Keynote was delivered by Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta, Hon. Kaycee Madu. Organized by the Canadian Association of Nigerian Lawyers (CANL) 7th November 2020. 
  • Session Moderator, “Making International Solidarity Even Stronger” The Lisbon Forum. Organized by the North-South Centre, Council of Europe: https://lisbonforum2020.com/ 1st – 3rd December 2020.
  • Panelist and Speaker, “How Civil Society Organizations can cope with COVID19 related challenges” Trust Africa and Civil Society Hub, Africa. (22 April 2020)
  • Keynote Speaker, 4th Coaching in Africa Symposium: A Post-Corona Africa: Leveraging on Youth and Technology towards Africa in the 22nd Century. Tshwane, South Africa (6th – 8th May 2020)
  • Speaker, “The Future Conversation” The Future Awards Africa – TFAA (supported by the African Union) Live conversation with TFAA Alumni on Community Action (1st June 2020)
  • Live Interview Session with the Director General of Nigeria’s Hydrological Services Agency, (NIHSA) Engineer Clem O Nze on “Flood in Nigeria: Predications and Analysis” 10am – 2pm GMT+1 (10th June 2020)
  • Conference Workshop presentation: “Amplifying Your Brand: Building Partnerships and Campaigns (How to Build your Brand and Partnerships Locally)”, Virtual Annual Curators Meeting (2020), The Global Shapers Community (an initiative of the World Economic Forum) Sunday, 28 June at 5:30pm – 7pm CEST [Online, 55 participants] (28th June 2020)
  • Television interview guest on “Rubbing Minds Now” Topic: “The State (and Future) of Legal Practice in Nigeria” anchored by Desmond Ekunwe (YNaija Television, Nigeria, a channel reflecting the issues and ideas for young Africans in the moment). The interview is also available on the TV station’s YouTube and Instagram pages (29th June 2020)
  • Conference: 2020 Virtual Annual Curators Meeting (sharing reflections in the closing plenary with the founder of the World Economic Forum and the Global Shapers Community, Professor Klaus Schwab [Online, Over 300 participants] (30th June 2020)
  • Host Speaker “Stamp Duties: The New Black Gold?: In conversation with the Executive Chairman of Nigeria’s Federal Inland Revenue Service, Muhammad Nami” Federal Inland Revenue Service, Abuja, Nigeria (and online www.stampduty.chat ) 2:00 – 4:30 pm WAT (25th July 2020).
  • Conference Panelist, “Pursuing a PhD in Canada Seminar” by GetInEdu (an online Webinar with 7 PhD candidates in Canada, 5 of whom are Vanier Scholars) providing insight and guidance to 185 graduate school applicants, online (25th July 2020)
  • Mentor (Climate Reality Leadership Corps Conference: Global Training 2020). Served as Mentor for 19 Global Shapers who are Climate Reality Leadership Corp candidates. This 9-day engagement required 17 meetings which included live sessions on climate change, on-demand breakout sessions and assignments to be carried out by the trainees. I anchored and moderated the Table work sessions and also Mentored 19 trainees towards becoming Climate Reality Leaders and to initiate their first acts of leadership after the training. Mentorship Certificate was delivered on 1st of August 2020. https://www.climaterealityglobaltraining.com/ (18th July – 26th July 2020)
  • Moderator and Speaker, National Conversations About The Law Series: “Wills and Intestacy: Any Wise Choice?” with 4 other lawyers all of whom are Senior Advocates of Nigeria (equivalent of Queens Counsel) (6th October 2020). 
  • Conference Speaker, “Stakeholder Capitalism” Community of Chairpersons Conference – Special Interaction with the Global Community of chairpersons – 100 global chairpersons of international companies. (9th October 2020)
  • Speaker, Grad Fireside Chat with Dean Thomas Loebel, Dean & Associate Vice–President, FGS, York University, Canada (6th November 2020).
  • Presenter, Graduate Studies Webinar. Hosted by Gideon Christian, Professor of AI and Law, University of Calgary, Alberta. African Scholars Initiative-Canada. (14th November 2020).
  • Moderator and Speaker, The Diversity Summit, Africa. The Diversity Summit is a TV and digital summit that brought together African leaders and thinkers to interrogate urgent priorities ranging from identity to spirituality, capitalism to the environment, artificial intelligence to human rights, especially as they concern young people in African countries (28th November 2020). 
  • Speaker, “Big Data and Data Protection in Nigeria” Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN) Conference, Abuja, Nigeria (9th May 2019).
  • Panelist, Roundtable: Law & Learning in an Era of Partnerships, Canadian Law and Society Association, Mid-Year Conference, University of Ottawa, Canada; “Partnerships for Socio-Legal Research in Africa: Redressing or Reproducing Inequalities in Knowledge Economies” (18th – 19th October 2019). 
  • Keynote Speaker at the 2019 Global Leadership Forum organized by the United States Department of State and the International Institute of Education, Washington DC, USA (27th – 31st October 2019). ALSO Chair, African Regional Dialogue with the Hubert Humphrey Fellows from the 25 African Countries represented within the Programme. 
  • Panelist/Presenter, Pan- African Development Summit 2019, Ontario Investment and Trade Centre, Toronto, Canada. “The Leadership Challenge – Ensuring Accountability with Institutional Structures and Capacity” (7th November 2019).
  • Keynote Address Speaker, Civil Society Symposium “Inclusion and Justice: A Renewed Call for LGBTQI Activism in Nigeria” (German Consulate, Lagos, Nigeria 17th May 2019).
  • Presenter, Association of American Law Schools Annual Conference, January 2019, New Orleans, USA.
  • Presenter, “Human Rights and the Rule of Law” Humphrey Fellowship 40th Anniversary Conference (African Humphrey Voices – Building a Better Future for our Continent) Johannesburg, South Africa |15th of September 2018. Humbert Humphrey Conference (Sept 2018, Johannesburg, South Africa). 
  • Presenter, Bill & Melinda Gates Goalkeepers conference, September 2018, New York, USA.
  • Speaker, World Health Organization, Nairobi Kenya (Bill and Melinda Gates in-country consultative conference) December 2018, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Presenter, Third World Approaches to International Law (TWAIL) Conference, July 2018, Singapore. 
  • Presenter, Global Climate Reality Conference and Climate Reality training, August 2018, San Francisco, USA.