BAMAKO, Mali (BG) — Mali has launched a new Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI&T) community to drive inclusive and responsible economic growth through technology.

The initiative is supported by the International Trade Centre’s Netherlands Trust Fund (NTF) V FastTrackTech Project, according to a statement released Friday by the International Trade Centre.

The announcement comes just over a year after Malian authorities unveiled plans to construct an AI and Robotics Center and began a nationwide campaign to digitalize government operations.

These efforts mark a significant step toward advancing Mali’s technological independence with solutions tailored to local needs.

Mohamed Doumbia, co-founder of the ImmersIA consortium and a former chief of staff at the Ministry of the Digital Economy, emphasized the importance of making AI accessible to all Malians while promoting responsible and ethical development.

“It will take time before Mali’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics is fully operational,” Doumbia said. “Until then, it’s essential to make AI popular in Mali and to encourage the emergence of an appropriate regulatory framework. This is critical if we want artificial intelligence to be used as a lever for economic development, and not as an instrument of social injustice.”

AI&T Community Aims to Make AI Accessible to All

In April 2024, Mohamed Malet, a digitalization consultant and founder of the start-up Greeney, launched the AI&T community in Mali.

Open to AI enthusiasts, developers, and learners, the community aims to encourage collaboration, share knowledge, and accelerate the creation of local AI applications.

“With the support of the NTF V FastTrackTech project, we have so far organized two thematic afterworks and one technical workshop, which are free, open to all and give the floor to experts,” said Doumbia, who is among the more than 50 members of the AI&T community.

The community is also developing a three-month training program for NGOs and associations to strengthen their understanding of AI and promote the use of local solutions. Additionally, ImmersIA plans to make its facilities available to foster collaboration and best practices.

“Our aim is to make Mali a player in AI, and not just a consumer,” Doumbia said. “The more and organized we are, the more we’ll be able to make our voices heard by decision-makers. After all, the challenge for this community is also to promote responsible regulation of AI and lay the foundations for a regulatory text.”

Looking ahead, the AI&T community plans to push for the installation of more local data servers to improve digital security and sovereignty.

Malet stressed that building a vibrant tech environment will help retain local talent and support Malian start-ups in developing innovative solutions.

“It’s a question of security and digital sovereignty. It’s also a question of talent retention,” Malet said.

“By creating a dynamic environment, we can help Malian start-ups develop new local models. To achieve this, we need partners. So, let’s bring on board anyone who shares our vision!” he added.