Africa’s First AI Research Center Inaugurated in Congo

The Republic of the Congo’s Prime Minister H.E. Anatole Collinet Makosso has inaugurated the African Center for Research in Artificial Intelligence (CARIA) in the nation’s capital of Brazzaville – the first of its kind on the continent.

Funded by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in partnership with the Jack Ma Foundation; the International Telecommunications Union; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization; the research center will provide a hub for the development of emerging technologies in the region.

The project aims to advance Agenda 2063 through a human-centered approach meeting social issues with technological solutions, according to Congolese Minister of Posts, Telecommunications and Digital Economy H.E. Minister Léon Juste Ibombo.

“This institution aims to undertake cutting-edge research on artificial intelligence by focusing on a human-centered approach to maximize benefits and counter development challenges,” said H.E. Ibombo at the inauguration on February 24.

CARIA is situated at Denis Sassou Nguesso University and has at least six initial research ventures defined for the coming year. The center will also offer an accredited Masters of Science Degree specializing in AI, along with certified online training for students and other interested parties into robotics and AI.

Main Image: Xinhua