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Published August 5, 2024 Author
Obum Ekeke OBE, Head of Educational Partnerships
Food security, healthcare and space exploration are among the ways students in a new pan-African master’s program aim to apply AI
At Google DeepMind, we are committed to supporting the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) leaders and contributing to building a stronger, more diverse, and more inclusive global AI community. This includes increasing access to AI and science through education.
Last year, we launched the AI for Science master’s program in partnership with the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Africa’s first network of mathematical sciences research centers, and with a $4.5 million grant from Google DeepMind. Ta.
The funding will enable AIMS to provide talented local students with full scholarships, equipment and computing access to advanced research in mathematics, AI and machine learning by AIMS South Africa’s world-class academics . Students will have the opportunity to accelerate their scientific discoveries with guidance and support from Google DeepMind researchers and engineers.
This summer, the first students graduated in a ceremony on the AIMS campus in Cape Town, South Africa. As Africa’s next generation of AI leaders, Béria Chingnabé Kalpélbé, Olivier Mahumawon Adjagba and Diffo Mboudjiho Annette Dariose shared their experiences pioneering AI research and what they hope to achieve with their research.
Béria Chingnabé Kalpélbé is passionate about applying AI to sustainability challenges.
Berea: Innovation for improving food security
Sustainability is a top priority for Belia, who is originally from Chad. “By incorporating principles of renewable energy, precision agriculture and ecological conservation into my work, I want to develop solutions for sustainable agricultural development that benefit both people and the planet.” he says.
“Beyond agriculture, AI offers huge potential to increase the resilience of Africa’s natural environments,” Beria adds. “By implementing AI-powered monitoring and decision support systems, we can protect Africa’s precious green space and biodiversity for future generations.”
Olivier Mahmawong Ajagba wants to use AI to create more accurate predictive models for the spread of dengue fever.
Olivier: A pioneer in researching viral infections through the lens of climate change
Olivier’s passion for applying mathematics to complex problems led him to AIMS South Africa. “Throughout my academic journey, I have been fascinated by the power of mathematics in addressing real-world challenges, especially through AI,” he says. “A strong foundation in actuarial science is essential to driving progress in areas such as health care, climate science, and technology, and I want to be at the forefront of these advances.”
Olivier, originally from Benin, is currently working on applying this approach to data from African countries to understand the spread of dengue fever. “We hope to use advanced AI techniques to create more accurate predictive models to inform public health strategies and interventions, and ultimately contribute to the control and prevention of this viral disease. .”
Speaking about the personal impact of his scholarship, Olivier said: This support allowed me to fully immerse myself in AIMS’s rigorous academic environment, engaging deeply with my classes, collaborating with professors and colleagues, and contributing meaningfully to research projects. ”
Difo Mbuziho Annette Darios wants to learn more about our universe with the help of AI.
Diffo: Unraveling the secrets of the universe
Originally from Cameroon, Difo is fascinated by big questions that go beyond the Earth. That’s what drew her to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the largest and most sensitive radio telescope on Earth.
“Understanding the 21cm line provides insight into the early universe, the formation of the first stars and galaxies, and the structure of the universe,” Difo explains. “By applying Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques, we improve the accuracy and efficiency of extracting these weak signals from SKA data, leading to more accurate cosmological models and a deeper understanding of the future evolution of the Universe.” I look forward to the possibilities.”
Difo has some advice for those considering similar research: “Be curious, persistent, and open to interdisciplinary learning. Participating in hands-on projects, collaborating with peers, and seeking guidance from AI experts will greatly benefit your learning experience and career prospects.” ”
Supporting AI education in Africa
This initiative builds on our existing work in the region since its creation in 2017, including supporting Deep Learning Indaba through volunteering and funding, and the recently launched Experiential AI Education program across Africa. and is already getting more help from local educators. More than 30,000 young people and additional education funding have been provided, with three more African universities offering a total of more than 40 postgraduate scholarships since 2020.
Increased representation in the AI research field provides a much-needed opportunity to bring diverse values, perspectives, and concerns to the conversation about the design and deployment of this innovative technology. We hope that our support for AIMS will not only help build a more global and inclusive AI ecosystem, but also help students make new scientific discoveries that benefit local communities and the planet as a whole. Masu.
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Acknowledgment
Special thanks to Ulrich Paquet, research scientist at Google DeepMind. He served as Executive Director of AIMS South Africa until 2027 and was instrumental in launching the AI for Science Masters program. Paquet continues to maintain a dual partnership with Google DeepMind.
We would also like to thank the degree-granting institutions that support this program at AIMS South Africa: the University of Cape Town, the University of Stellenbosch, and the University of the Western Cape for their longstanding academic support.
