To attend the webinar, register here. The discussions will be in English.
Official statistics have traditionally been produced to help governments understand populations, economies and societies. Yet in a world increasingly shaped by digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), citizens are no longer simply the subjects of measurement. Through smartphones, online platforms and digital services, they generate vast amounts of data that influence decisions about public services, economic opportunities and civic participation.
As part of the From Averages to Agency in the Era of AI webinar series, this session will bring together two complementary perspectives: the one of a statistics office and a governance researcher:
Dr. Macdonald G. Obudho, Director General, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS)
Macdonald Obudho leads Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and has extensive experience in the production and modernisation of official statistics, including censuses, household surveys and statistical governance. He played a key role in Kenya's first digital population census and has been involved in developing statistical standards, policies and methods. His perspective brings practical insight into how official statistics can evolve to meet changing societal needs.
Mandipa B. Ndlovu, Governance Researcher and Development Policy Analyst
Mandipa B. Ndlovu's work focuses on governance, citizen agency, accountability, justice and the politics of knowledge production in Africa. Her research explores how institutions can better reflect lived realities and support inclusive development. She has worked across academia, policy and civil society, with a particular interest in how evidence, governance and citizen participation interact.
Johannes P. Jütting, Executive Head, PARIS21
Johannes P. Jütting is development economist and statistics expert leading PARIS21 (Partnership in Statistics for Development in the 21st Century), a global initiative hosted by the OECD that supports countries in strengthening their statistical systems and using data for policymaking. His research and policy work have contributed extensively to international debates on gender statistics and development indicators. He is a leading advocate for better data and statistics to support evidence-based policymaking, particularly in low- and middle-income countries.