On 14 and 15 April, UNESCO, GIZ and the Ministry of Justice in Rwanda, organized a national training on Artificial Intelligence, Data protection and the Rule of Law for Judicial Operators in Kigali, Rwanda. 

This event brought together 31 legal professionals, including judges, prosecutors, academics, attorneys, and judicial operators from Rwanda, to explore how AI, Data protection and the Rule of Law can shape the future of justice in the country.

This training built on the regional workshop on AI and Judiciary that was held in Nairobi in November 2024 and reflects Rwanda’s strong commitment to using AI in its justice system. As the country moves toward integrating AI to improve justice delivery, this is a valuable opportunity for peer learning and exchange. It also aligns closely with the Global AI Summit held in Kigali on April 3–4, which highlighted AI’s pivotal role in Africa’s development and underscored the need for collective efforts to address challenges such as the digital divide.

This training provided the Judicial operators in Rwanda access to knowledge and tools necessary to understand and consider the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) and Data protection. The training is based on UNESCO’s Global Toolkit on AI and the Rule of Law.

At the same time, the training programme helped the justice sector recognize AI’s drawbacks and risks, including bias, discrimination, black boxes, and lack of accountability and transparency. The training programme supported the justice sector improve judgments and reduce potential human rights risks by offering guidance and perspectives on the principles, regulations, and relevant case law that underpin the use of AI responsibly in justice sector contexts. 

The training was organized with the financial support of UNESCO, GIZ and the European Union, and in partnership with the Ministry of Justice of Rwanda.

Quotes from the opening speeches:

“As Rwanda continues to embrace AI in its public institutions, we commend the judiciary’s proactive stance […] on the ethical adoption of AI grounded in the principles of justice, rights, and accountability, as well as the need for training judicial officers and establishing robust ethical guidelines […] Strengthening the knowledge of judges and legal professionals is one of the most effective ways to protect human rights in this new era of algorithmic governance; this age of AI.”

Remarks by Mr. Ozonnia Ojielo, UN Resident Coordinator

“Artificial Intelligence has immense benefits for the justice sector and all other sectors in Rwanda, however, without clear legal frameworks and guidelines grounded in data protection and the rule of law, these technologies can pose risk-risks to privacy, equity, accountability and fundamental rights.

Rwanda has managed to develop a National AI Policy, but this is just the beginning, and I would like us to use this training as an opportunity to exchange ideas, share experiences and create a collective awareness and understanding on the development and adoption of AI.”

Opening Remarks by Théophile MBONERA, Permanent Secretary/Solicitor General at the Artificial Intelligence, Data protection and the Rule of Law Training for the Justice Sector