Tag: AI in Africa

Mali uses AI to Teach School Children in Bambara

On By Dr. Y.In Great People, Great ScienceLeave a comment
Artificial Intelligence (Source: IBTimes.co.uk)

As AI tools become ubiquitous, many African countries are taking advantage to improve their education, economy, and much more. One such country is Mali where AI tools have been used to teach school children in the local languages. In parenthesis, this is happening while some African countries like Nigeria are moving away from teaching local languages in the curriculum; this is quite sad. Here, we are raising our hats to educators in Mali who are using AI to teach kids how to learn and write in local languages that they already speak at home with friends and family. The Education ministry is using the services of RobotsMali which has produced more than a hundred stories in Bambara, the most widely spoken local language.

Excerpts below are from Africanews. Enjoy!

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Flag of Mali
Flag of Mali

Since Mali adopted a new constitution in 2023, the country has 13 official languages. Although French is no longer part of that list, the language of the former coloniser is still present everywhere, including in classrooms.

Malian authorities hope artificial intelligence can change that by helping students learn to read and write in local languages they already speak with friends and family.

To achieve this goal, the Education ministry has called on RobotsMali. This AI company has produced more than a hundred stories in Bambara, the most widely spoken language in the country, for students to read in schools.

“It helps me speak better with my friends. All of this is good,” said 13-year-old pupil Clarisse Yasségué Togo. “At school, we only speak French.”

AI programmes like ChatGPT and Leonardo are used to write, translate and illustrate the stories.

“Since the stories are also illustrated, it teaches [students] to make the connections between words and their meaning very quickly,” said RobotsMali Mamadou Dembele.

The organisation hopes to provide a solution to the lack of books in Malian languages.

… “Bambara is our language. We should prioritise it,” said 17-year-old student Fatoumata Sacko.

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VivaTech 2025, AI and Africa

On By Dr. Y.In Great Moments, Great ScienceLeave a comment
Artificial Intelligence (Source: IBTimes.co.uk)

Over the past few months, we have witnessed AI growth all around, whether with the arrival of DeepSeek or the unveiling of Grok 4. The progress is huge, and has taken the world by storm. It is only befitting that we talk about a few things happening or being highlighted when it comes to AI in Africa.

The VivaTech 2025 which took place in Paris last month gave a stage to some 45 African startups. Excerpts below are from Africanews. Enjoy!

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The 9th edition of VivaTech, Europe’s premier tech and innovation event, spotlighted Africa’s growing influence in the global tech ecosystem. Held in Paris, this year’s event highlighted artificial intelligence (AI) as the dominant trend, offering a unique opportunity for African nations to leapfrog into the digital future.

François Bitouzet, VivaTech’s Managing Director, emphasized the potential for a level playing field in this new technological era. “If you didn’t have the cloud like France, blockchain like Africa, or massive data storage, it doesn’t matter. Everyone can start from scratch. And he said that with Africa’s digital talent and ability to surprise the world with innovation, AI is a powerful new frontier for them,” he said.

Among the most prominent African delegations at VivaTech was Côte d’Ivoire, whose tech scene is rapidly becoming a continental powerhouse. Startups from the West African nation are leading the charge, especially in the fields of culture and digital innovation.

Philippe Yacé, founder and CEO of Sellarts, showcased his platform that bridges African artists with global buyers. “We’re creating a marketplace where artists can gain visibility and connect with international collectors. Digital tools are allowing African creativity to shine worldwide,” he said.

Senegal also made a strong showing, with 15 startups participating in the search for strategic investment. Aïssatou Mbodji, Minister Delegate for Rapid Entrepreneurship of Women and Youth in Senegal, noted the mutual interest: “We’re looking for investors for our startups—but at the same time, investors are actively seeking out high-potential ventures in Africa’s emerging sectors.”

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With 45 African startups participating in the competition, the message was clear: Africa is not just catching up but helping shape the future of global tech.