Africa's AI Revolution: Coding a New Future 🔥 🚀

World News

Across Africa, schools are facing challenges stemming from outdated curricula and a lack of relevant skills, yet a growing belief in the transformative potential of artificial intelligence is gaining momentum, opening up exciting new opportunities for young people. In Accra’s Chorkor neighborhood, for example, young Ghanaians are experiencing computers for the first time, thanks to dedicated facilitators operating a small digital lab. These facilitators are using smart tools to teach essential digital literacy skills – a shift many believe could truly transform lives. As Emmanuel Dwamena Tenkorang, an IT student, noted, “I’ve learned a lot, I love technology and all that, but coming to these classes, I’ve been able to gain knowledge. It’s been inspirational.” This trend is being fueled by investment in AI education for disadvantaged youth. American social entrepreneur Patricia Wilkins, through her organization, Basics International, runs the Chorkor Digital Lab, already introducing young people to digital skills. “We launched the program just a few months ago, and we’ve already had one cohort of students. We’re running our second cohort and we have almost 100 students and three classes,” Wilkins explained. “Technology is the future. This is where the jobs are. This is where people can work remotely.” The potential impact of AI on education is being discussed across the continent. Over 1,500 education and tech experts convened in Accra in November to examine how AI can be integrated into educational systems to drive innovation and sustainable development. “We’re talking about using technology to solve problems in the education environment, or using technologies within education systems to enhance teaching and learning,” said Gideon Owusu Agyemang from the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Center of Excellence in ICT. However, some educators, particularly at the university level, express caution regarding potential disruption. Dr. David King, CEO of the AiAfrica Project, believes this hesitancy stems from a lack of understanding, arguing that “AI has been with us for more than a century now; it didn’t emerge yesterday.” He stresses the need for widespread training, aiming to equip 11 million Africans with AI skills – a goal already underway with 2.3 million having been trained. The urgency to embrace this technology is echoed by figures like Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, founder of the Ghana Education Trust Fund, who urges Ghana and Africa as a whole to “wake up” and actively participate in developing and controlling their own AI technologies. Ultimately, experts agree on the necessity of clear policies to guide AI’s implementation in education. Across Africa, educational institutions are now offering AI courses, and learning systems are adapting to incorporate smart technologies. Amir Dossal, a former UN undersecretary-general, is convinced that Africa is ready to take the lead, asserting that “Africa isn’t just watching; it has the potential to fundamentally change the global AI landscape by moving beyond old systems and setting new standards.” This vision, he contends, represents “Africa’s next reality – and they can create a model that inspires the world.”