Students of a new pan-African Master’s program aspire to apply AI in food security, healthcare, and exploring the cosmos.
At Google DeepMind, our mission is to nurture the next generation of AI leaders and foster a more diverse and inclusive global AI community through education. Our commitment includes enhancing access to AI and science.
AI, Africa
In partnership with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Africa’s pioneering network of centers of excellence in mathematical sciences, we launched an AI for Science Master’s program with a $4.5M grant from Google DeepMind. This funding enables AIMS to provide full scholarships, equipment, and computing resources to talented local students, facilitating advanced mathematics, AI, and machine learning studies at AIMS South Africa. With mentoring and support from Google DeepMind’s researchers and engineers, students are poised to accelerate scientific discovery.
This summer, the first cohort of students graduated at a ceremony held at the AIMS campus in Cape Town, South Africa. As emerging AI leaders in Africa, Béria Chingnabé Kalpélbé, Olivier Mahumawon Adjagba, and Diffo Mboudjiho Annette Dariose shared their experiences in pioneering AI research and their aspirations for their work.
Béria Chingnabé Kalpélbé: Innovating for Food Security and Sustainability
Béria, from Chad, is dedicated to applying AI to sustainability challenges. “My goal is to develop solutions for sustainable agricultural development that benefit both people and the planet by integrating principles of renewable energy, precision farming, and ecological preservation,” he says.
Béria believes AI has tremendous potential to enhance the resilience of Africa’s natural environments. “By implementing AI-powered monitoring and decision-support systems, we can safeguard Africa’s precious green areas and biodiversity for future generations.”
Olivier Mahumawon Adjagba: Advancing Virus Transmission Research Amid Climate Change
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Olivier, from Benin, has a passion for applying mathematics to complex problems, leading him to AIMS South Africa. “Throughout my academic journey, I’ve been fascinated by the power of mathematics in addressing real-world challenges through AI,” he shares. With a strong foundation in mathematical sciences, Olivier aims to drive progress in healthcare, climate science, and technology.
Olivier now focuses on using AI to understand the spread of dengue fever. “Using advanced AI techniques, I hope to create more accurate prediction models to inform public health strategies and interventions, ultimately contributing to the control and prevention of this viral disease.”
On his scholarship, Olivier notes, “Without it, pursuing advanced studies at such a prestigious institution would have been financially unattainable. This support enabled me to immerse myself in AIMS’ rigorous academic environment, collaborate with professors and peers, and contribute meaningfully to research projects.”
Diffo Mboudjiho Annette Dariose: Exploring the Universe with AI
Diffo, from Cameroon, is captivated by the mysteries beyond Earth, which drew her to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope.
“Understanding the 21cm line offers insights into the early universe, the formation of the first stars and galaxies, and the structure of the cosmos,” she explains. By applying Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques, Diffo aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of extracting these faint signals from SKA data, potentially leading to more precise cosmological models and a deeper understanding of the universe’s future evolution.
For those considering similar studies, Diffo advises: “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
AI, Africa
Our efforts build on existing commitments in the region, including support for the Deep Learning Indaba through volunteering and funding since 2017 and the launch of our Experience AI education program across Africa, which has engaged over 30,000 young people. Additionally, educational funding has enabled three more African universities to offer over 40 postgraduate scholarships since 2020.
Increasing representation in AI research brings diverse values, perspectives, and concerns into the conversation about this transformative technology. Our support for AIMS aims to build a more global and inclusive AI ecosystem, helping students make scientific discoveries that benefit their local communities and the world.
