A novel generation of African talent brings cutting-edge AI to scientific challenges

Food security, healthcare and space exploration are among the ways students in a novel pan-African master’s program want to apply AI

At Google DeepMind, we are committed to supporting the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) leaders to assist build a stronger, more diverse, and inclusive global AI community. This includes increasing access to AI and learning through education.

Last year we started cooperation with African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Africa’s first network of centres of excellence in mathematical sciences, will launch AI for Science Master’s Programwith a $4.5 million grant from Google DeepMind.

This funding enables AIMS to provide full scholarships, equipment and computers to talented local students, giving them access to advanced studies in mathematics, artificial intelligence and machine learning led by world-class scientists. AIMS South Africa. Students have the opportunity to accelerate scientific discovery with mentorship and support from Google DeepMind researchers and engineers.

This summer, the first cohort of students graduated in a ceremony at the AIMS campus in Cape Town, South Africa. As the next generation of AI leaders in Africa, Béria Chingnabé Kalpélbé, Olivier Mahumawon Adjagba, and Diffo Mboudjiho Annette Dariose shared their experiences in pioneering AI research and what they hope to achieve with their work.

Béria: Innovations for better food security

Sustainability is a top priority for Béria, who is originally from Chad. “I hope to develop sustainable agricultural solutions that benefit both people and the planet by integrating the principles of renewable energy, precision agriculture and environmental protection into my work,” he says.

“Beyond agriculture, AI offers significant potential to increase the resilience of Africa’s natural environments,” Béria adds. “By deploying AI-based monitoring and decision-support systems, we can protect Africa’s precious green spaces and biodiversity for future generations.”

Olivier: Pioneering research on virus transmission in the context of climate change

Olivier’s passion for applying mathematics to solve complicated problems led him to AIMS South Africa: “Throughout my academic journey, I was fascinated by the power of mathematics, especially in solving real-world problems with AI,” he says. “A solid foundation in mathematical sciences is crucial to driving progress in areas such as healthcare, climate science and technology – and I look forward to being at the forefront of these advances.”

Originally from Benin, Olivier now wants to apply this approach to data from African countries to assist understand the spread of dengue fever. “Using advanced AI techniques, I hope to create more accurate predictive models that will inform public health strategies and interventions that will ultimately help control and prevent this viral disease.”

Discussing the personal impact of his scholarship, Olivier says, “Without it, pursuing advanced studies at such a prestigious institution would have been financially unattainable for me. This support allowed me to fully immerse myself in the rigorous academic environment at AIMS, allowing me to engage deeply in classes, collaborate with professors and peers, and make significant contributions to research projects.”

Diffo: Uncovering the Secrets of Our Universe

Diffo, originally from Cameroon, is fascinated by the massive questions that transcend Earth—which is what drew her to Square Kilometer Table (SKA), the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the world.

“Understanding the 21 cm line provides insight into the early universe, the formation of the first stars and galaxies, and the structure of the cosmos,” Diffo explains. “By using Markov Monte Carlo Chain (MCMC) I hope to improve the accuracy and efficiency of extracting these faint signals from the SKA data, potentially leading to more accurate cosmological models and a deeper understanding of the future evolution of the universe.”

For those considering similar research, Diffo offers some words of advice: “Stay curious, be persistent, and embrace interdisciplinary learning. Engaging in hands-on projects, collaborating with peers, and seeking mentorship from AI experts can greatly enhance your learning experience and career prospects.”

Supporting AI Education in Africa

This work builds on our existing commitments in the region, including our support for Deep Learning Indaba Thanks to volunteering and funding since our inception in 2017, we recently launched our Learn about artificial intelligence an education programme across Africa that has already engaged local educators working with over 30,000 teenage people, and additional education funding that three more African universities have tapped to offer a total of over 40 postgraduate scholarships from 2020.

The growing representation in AI research offers a much-needed opportunity to bring diverse values, perspectives, and concerns to the conversation about the design and implementation of this transformative technology. We hope that our support of AIMS will not only serve to build a more global and inclusive AI ecosystem, but also assist students make novel scientific discoveries that will benefit their local communities and the world.