The first-ever AI4IA Satellite event comes to South Africa, to strengthen the resilience of societies to harmful content spreading online

Pretoria, September 16 - The UNESCO Information for All Programme (IFAP), through its Working Group on Information Accessibility (WGIA), in partnership with the UNESCO Regional Office for Southern Africa (ROSA), University of Pretoria and the EU-funded Social Media 4 Peace (SM4P) project partners in South Africa, will host the Artificial Intelligence for Information Accessibility (AI4IA) Satellite Event at the University of Pretoria on 19 September 2025, ahead of the sixth global AI4IA Conference in September 2025.

Organised in commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), the Satellite Event will bring together diverse stakeholders, including representatives from government, academia, civil society, the media and youth to deliberate on the theme: How Artificial Intelligence (AI) can strengthen the resilience of societies to harmful content spreading online.

The annual AI4IA Conference is a flagship global platform that explores the intersection of artificial intelligence with ethics, governance, accessibility, creativity, and social impact. In 2025, the Conference will convene more than 60 international experts in a hybrid format, advancing dialogue on how AI can be harnessed responsibly to build inclusive, informed and resilient societies.

Satellite Events form a cornerstone of the AI4IA initiative, creating space for regionally driven dialogues that contribute local perspectives to the global discourse. Following the success of the Southern Africa Satellite Event in 2024, this year's South Africa edition will deepen discussions on the role of AI in addressing the risks of harmful content online while promoting human rights, digital inclusion and peaceful online ecosystems.

The outcomes of the South Africa Satellite Event will enrich the global AI4IA dialogue and strengthen collaboration among stakeholders at regional and international levels. The deliberations will also feed into the ongoing Social Media 4 Peace Project in South Africa, supporting efforts to enhance media and information literacy and safeguard societies against the spread of harmful online content.

UNESCO reaffirms its commitment to fostering inclusive and ethical approaches to digital transformation, ensuring that technological advancements serve as a force for peace, human rights, and sustainable development.

Media contact: Vimbai Mataruse ( [email protected] / 0027 845323752)