The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in partnership with Google and musician and tech entrepreneur will.i.am, has launched a new initiative aimed at expanding artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics education for students across Africa. The programme was announced during the Digital@UNGA Anchor Event held alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
The initiative will provide hands-on AI and robotics training to young people in underserved communities, particularly in countries participating in the ITU-UNICEF Giga initiative, which focuses on connecting schools to the internet. The training targets students aged 10 to 18 and is part of ITU’s AI for Good programme, under its AI Skills Coalition and the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge.
Google.org, the philanthropic arm of Google, is supporting the initiative with AI expertise and an initial contribution of USD 1 million. The programme also receives support from will.i.am in his role as ITU AI Skills Coalition Goodwill Ambassador. His i.am Angel Foundation will contribute to delivering robotics kits, developing localized AI curricula, and providing teacher training.
According to ITU, the programme is intended to address the dual challenge of digital connectivity and digital literacy, with particular attention to girls and other underrepresented groups. Data from the agency indicates that 2.6 billion people globally remain offline, including 1.3 billion children, and in Africa, 60 per cent of young people are still unconnected.
The initiative will first be implemented in Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Planned activities include curriculum customization, teacher and facilitator training, the distribution of robotics kits, and the organization of national student showcases. The programme will build on existing Robotics for Good competitions and Giga’s current efforts, with Robotics for Good already active in more than 60 countries and Giga engaged in 45.
