AG Advocates Measured Legal Path for Artificial Intelligence
Sierra Leone has chosen not to rush the enactment of artificial intelligence legislation, prioritizing the creation of an effective, contextual legal framework over speedy adoption. Speaking at the 4th UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, held from September 14 to 17, 2026, Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay emphasized that regulatory effectiveness must take precedence over speed.
Representing Sierra Leone before international policymakers and stakeholders, Sesay explained that governance frameworks must be firmly rooted in national realities to remain relevant and functional.
“I explained why Sierra Leone has chosen not to rush into enacting an AI law,” Sesay stated, noting that a clear understanding of the nation’s specific socio-economic conditions is vital before locking in statutory requirements.
While acknowledging the substantial transformative potential AI offers developing nations, the Attorney-General highlighted significant risks associated with uncritical deployment. He warned that automated decision-making systems threaten to entrench existing societal inequalities, particularly when biased or incomplete datasets lead to discriminatory outcomes.
Sesay further pointed to a growing array of digital threats—including synthetic media, misinformation, technology-facilitated violence, and algorithmic discrimination—that are advancing faster than traditional legal mechanisms can adapt.
Central to Sierra Leone’s strategy is digital inclusion. Sesay stressed that innovation must not disenfranchise citizens who remain offline or lack digital access, affirming that individuals should not face systemic disadvantages simply because they do not participate directly in an increasingly digital society.
“Our objective is clear: to harness AI for development while ensuring that technology remains grounded in human rights, inclusion, fairness, and the rule of law,” Sesay reaffirmed.
Concluding his address, the Attorney-General reiterated that the quality and long-term protection provided by eventual legislation remain far more important than meeting arbitrary legislative deadlines.
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