Uganda’s Artificial Intelligence Champion and Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University Prof. Lawrence Muganga has urged African Countries to embrace usage of Artificial Intelligence in their day to day life so as not remain behind fast changing digital era.
Muganga, a restless advocate of AI in Uganda has for long been calling upon African countries to adopt this technology noting that this could help drive socio-economic development, improve governance, and create opportunities across various sectors t9 speed up the continents developments.
“This is not just a moment of pride but also a call to action. Africa has the potential, and we must invest in technology, education, and innovation to ensure that we are not left behind. The AI revolution is happening now, and it is crucial that we act to secure our place and prepare for tomorrow, today.”Muganga stressed
Muganga along side with his team from Victoria University (VU) is currently participating in the AI in Education Forum in Toronto, Canada themed Unleashing AI’s Potential For Transformative Learning’
This conference has attracted only 150 world class institutions, 200 education leaders and 25 global speakers.
The prestigious forum has brought together world’s leading academic institutions to explore AI’s transformative role in education. Victoria University’s participation is a historic achievement, yet it underscores a pressing question: Where is the rest of Africa on this transformative journey?
“The world is rapidly embracing AI to redefine education, and Africa cannot afford to be a spectator. Let us seize this opportunity to lead and shape the future of education and beyond.”Muganga said.
The forum is not only a platform for celebrating excellence but also a wake-up call for African leaders, governments, and institutions to invest boldly in technological advancements. Prof. Muganga emphasized that Africa’s talent, potential, and resolve position the continent to take on a leadership role in the global AI movement.
“We are thrilled to represent Uganda, East Africa, and Africa at this groundbreaking forum. As we exchange ideas and showcase solutions, we proudly carry the banner for AI-driven innovation back home,” he said.
The conference has attracted prominent experts from prestigious institutions such as Toronto Metropolitan University, York University, the University of Ottawa, McMaster University, and the University of Lethbridge are also participating, contributing to rich discussions on the future of AI in education.
Notable attendees include Prof. Pamela Robinson, Prof. Xavier Fernando, and Steve Angels, who are interacting with Prof. Muganga on how to advance AI’s transformative potential.
But why AI?
Muganga says AI can drive innovation in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and energy. For example, AI-powered tools can help farmers optimize crop yields through predictive analytics, precision farming, and climate adaptation strategies.
He also adds that the adoption of AI can create new business models and markets, potentially boosting entrepreneurship and creating jobs in technology-driven fields.
“The expansion of AI-related industries could help diversify economies that depend heavily on traditional sectors like agriculture and extractive industries,” he said.
Muganga further said that AI technologies, such as telemedicine and diagnostics, can improve access to healthcare in remote or underserved regions. AI can assist in diagnosing diseases, predicting outbreaks, and providing personalized treatment plans, even in places with limited healthcare professionals.
“AI-powered tools can help healthcare institutions in Africa optimize resources, improve efficiency, and reduce costs, ensuring that healthcare services reach more people, especially in rural areas,” he stresses.
Meanwhile other advantages include personalised learning. AI can transform education by offering personalized learning experiences, adaptive tools, and online platforms that cater to individual needs. In Africa, where access to quality education can be limited, AI can bridge gaps by providing educational resources remotely.
Interms of technology, AI can enhance the delivery of education through interactive platforms, AI-driven tutoring systems, and automated content generation, making education more accessible to a larger population across the continent.
Lastly AI can help Africa’s agricultural sector boost productivity by analyzing weather patterns, soil conditions, and crop health. AI-driven tools can provide real-time data to farmers, helping them make better decisions, increase crop yields, and reduce waste.