AI Hub For Sustainable Development Open Call – Submit Your AI-Generated Artwork To Shape Africa’s Technological Future | UNDP Italy-Africa Mattei Plan 2025

Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a concept of the distant future. It is here—driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and reshaping economies. In Africa, where youth populations are booming, industries are ripe for digitization, and challenges demand bold solutions, AI offers a pathway to inclusive, transformative growth. As AI continues to evolve, how we guide its development and usage today will determine its long-term impact.

To foster meaningful, future-oriented conversations around AI and sustainable development, the AI Hub for Sustainable Development has launched an open call for AI-generated artwork submissions. This call is an invitation to creators, designers, thinkers, and changemakers to visually explore what a thriving African industrial landscape powered by AI might look like.

Backed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT), and strategic African stakeholders, the initiative aims to shape a bold vision for the future—one where AI strengthens human development and drives sustainable industrial growth across the continent. This effort is aligned with the broader framework of the Italy-Africa Mattei Plan, which emphasizes collaborative development in key sectors through inclusive digital transformation.

About the AI Hub for Sustainable Development

The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is more than just a project—it is a strategic platform built on partnerships. Co-designed by MIMIT, UNDP, and African public and private actors, the Hub exists to catalyze inclusive industrial growth through responsible, inclusive, and locally driven AI ecosystems.

By strengthening the foundational elements required for Africa’s AI progress, the Hub addresses the barriers preventing communities from fully leveraging the power of artificial intelligence. Through targeted interventions, collaborative capacity-building efforts, and an inclusive model of innovation, the AI Hub is investing in sustainable growth and inclusive prosperity.

Its key pillars include:

Access to high-quality, localized data – to make AI relevant and impactful within African contexts
Closing skills gaps – through technical training, education, and capacity building across demographics
Reducing infrastructure limitations – by expanding computing power, connectivity, and access to open-source tools
Fostering innovation ecosystems – that encourage the development, scaling, and deployment of homegrown AI solutions

The AI Hub directly supports sectors that can benefit from AI-powered efficiency and resilience:

Energy (smart grids, predictive maintenance, clean energy optimization)
Agriculture (precision farming, supply chain transparency, pest management)
Health (remote diagnostics, epidemiological modeling, health systems management)
Water (smart water management, waste reduction, equitable distribution)
Education and Training (personalized learning, AI-assisted teaching tools)
Infrastructure (urban planning, logistics optimization, predictive maintenance)

Call for Submissions: Your Chance to Shape AI Narratives Through Art

This open call invites creators to imagine and design the visual future of African industrial growth empowered by AI. The submissions should highlight how artificial intelligence can drive positive change, enhance human potential, and promote sustainable, equitable development across African countries.

Art is a powerful medium for systems thinking. It can shift mindsets, provoke dialogue, and inspire collective action. Through this initiative, the AI Hub aims to spark new conversations and reach diverse audiences by translating complex technological futures into accessible, relatable visual stories.

Whether you’re a professional digital artist, an AI enthusiast with a passion for generative visuals, or a student experimenting with tools like Midjourney, DALL·E, or Stable Diffusion, this is your platform to be seen—and to contribute to a continent-wide conversation on AI.

Winning submissions will be showcased at the official launch of the AI Hub, representing your country in high-level policy and development dialogues. Your work may also be featured in regional exhibitions, social media campaigns, digital publications, and educational resources affiliated with the AI Hub.

Eligibility Criteria: Countries Covered by the Open Call

This opportunity is open to individuals from the following countries:

African Countries:

Algeria
Angola
Republic of the Congo
Egypt
Ethiopia
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Mauritania
Morocco
Mozambique
Senegal
Tanzania
Tunisia

European Partner Country:

Italy

Each country will have one selected artwork to represent it at the official unveiling of the AI Hub.

Submission Requirements: What to Include in Your Entry

Applicants are required to submit the following components for a complete application:

Artwork Title
- Maximum 5 words
- Should be memorable and relevant to the theme
Short Description (150 words max)
- Describe the concept, motivation, and artistic choices
- Indicate the sector represented (e.g., agriculture, health)
- Specify the country depicted
- Emphasize how AI is envisioned to transform local industry
AI Tool Used
- Indicate the tool or platform used (e.g., Midjourney, DALL·E, Stable Diffusion, Artbreeder)
- Optionally mention any prompt engineering techniques applied

Your submission must present a localized and contextually relevant interpretation of:

AI’s role in improving life and productivity
Technological partnerships involving public and private sectors
Local innovation supported by AI
Sustainable industrial practices
Cultural inclusion in AI design and development

Submission Deadline

All entries must be received by:

25 May 2025 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Early submission is encouraged. All files should be submitted via:

Online Portal Submission: AI Hub Open Call for AI-Generated Art

Evaluation Process: How Submissions Will Be Judged

Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of experts with backgrounds in:

Visual arts and creative direction
AI and digital transformation strategy
Sustainable development and public policy
Social innovation and community engagement

Selection Criteria:

Artistic quality and originality
Relevance to the AI Hub’s mission and target sectors
Creativity in representing local, contextualized AI-driven growth
Technical execution and effective use of AI tools
Alignment with sustainability and inclusion principles

Finalists will be contacted by early June 2025.

Recognition and Exhibition Opportunities

Selected artworks will be:

Exhibited during the AI Hub’s official launch event with key stakeholders
Curated on the AI Hub’s digital platform for global visibility
Featured in UNDP and partner publications, campaigns, and presentations
Potentially included in educational materials and reports disseminated to governments, schools, and innovation hubs

Artists may also receive invitations to speak or present their work at regional or global forums on AI and development.

Why Participate: Value for Creators and Innovators

By participating, you gain:

Global exposure in one of the most impactful conversations around AI and development
Networking opportunities with professionals, policymakers, and international agencies
A platform to shape public narratives around ethical and inclusive AI in Africa
A chance to amplify your creative voice in a space traditionally dominated by technical discourse

Whether you’re based in Nairobi, Dakar, Tunis, or Rome—your vision matters.

About the Italy-Africa Mattei Plan

This initiative is closely tied to the Italy-Africa Mattei Plan, a strategic program launched by the Italian government to foster mutually beneficial cooperation between Italy and African countries.

The plan focuses on priority areas such as education, infrastructure, digital economy, sustainable energy, and private sector innovation. The AI Hub for Sustainable Development is a flagship component of this broader engagement, aiming to embed AI into Africa’s path to economic sovereignty and equitable growth.

Through this art-focused open call, the Mattei Plan seeks to humanize AI innovation and embed cultural perspectives into Africa’s technological evolution.

Inquiries and Technical Support

For questions about the call, technical guidance on submitting artwork, or clarification about AI tools:

Email the AI Hub team at: digital.support@undp.org

Please allow up to 48 hours for a response.

Additional Resources and Engagement

Explore More Opportunities in AI, Art, and Sustainability
Visit JobKenya.org – AI and Innovation Grants in Africa to find additional competitions, grants, and calls for creatives.

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