A new generation of African talent is bringing cutting-edge AI to scientific challenges

Food security, healthcare and cosmic exploration are among the ways students in a new pan-African master's degree plan to apply AI

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

Last year, we partnered with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Africa's first network of centers of excellence in mathematical sciences, to launch an AI for Science master's program with a $4.5 million grant from Google DeepMind to start.

This funding will help AIMS provide full scholarships, equipment and computers to talented local students and give them access to advanced studies in mathematics, AI and machine learning from world-class academics at AIMS South Africa. Students have the opportunity to advance scientific discoveries with mentorship and support from Google DeepMind researchers and engineers.

This summer, the first cohort of students graduated at 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 as pioneers in AI research and what they hope to achieve with their work.

Béria: Innovations for better food security

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

“Beyond agriculture, AI offers significant potential to improve the resilience of Africa’s natural environment,” adds Béria. “By implementing AI-powered monitoring and decision support systems, we can protect Africa’s valuable green spaces and biodiversity for future generations.”

Olivier: Pioneering work in virus transmission research taking climate change into account

Olivier’s passion for applying mathematics to complex problems led him to AIMS South Africa: “Throughout my academic career, I have been fascinated by the power of mathematics, particularly in tackling real-world challenges through AI,” he says. “A solid foundation in the mathematical sciences is critical to driving progress in areas such as healthcare, climate science and technology – and I am eager to be at the forefront of these advances.”

Originally from Benin, Olivier now wants to apply this approach to data from African countries to improve understanding of the spread of dengue fever. “Using advanced AI techniques, I hope to create more accurate predictive models to support public health strategies and interventions and ultimately contribute to the control and prevention of this viral disease.”

Olivier talks about the personal impact of his scholarship: “Without it, further studies at such a renowned institution would have been financially out of reach for me. This support allowed me to be fully immersed in AIMS’ demanding academic environment, allowing me to delve deeply into coursework, collaborate with professors and colleagues, and contribute meaningfully to research projects.”

Diffo: Uncovering the Secrets of Our Universe

Diffo, from Cameroon, is fascinated by the big questions beyond Earth – which drew her to the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), the largest and most sensitive radio telescope in the world.

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

For those considering a similar degree, Diffo offers some advice: “Stay curious, be persistent and embrace interdisciplinary learning.” Participating in practical projects, collaborating with colleagues and seeking mentorship from AI Experts can greatly improve your learning experience and career prospects.”

Supporting AI education in Africa

This work builds on our existing commitments in the region, including our support of the Deep Learning Indaba through volunteerism and funding since its inception in 2017, the recent launch of our Experience AI education program across Africa, which has already engaged local educators who working with more than 30,000 young people and additional educational resources, with which three additional African universities have been offering a total of over 40 postgraduate scholarships since 2020.

The increasing presence in the field of AI research provides a much-needed opportunity to bring diverse values, perspectives and concerns into conversations about the design and deployment of this transformative 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 their local communities and the world at large.