Congo Brazzaville to Host ‘Africa’s First AI Research Centre’

ADDIS ABABA – An AI centre devoted exclusively to advancing research through artificial intelligence to advance digital technology in Africa is set to be inaugurated Congo Brazzaville.

Vera Songwe, Executive Secretary of Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and Anatole C. Makossa, Prime Minister of the host nation will officially launch it on Thursday.

The centre, fully named as African Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence, will work to advance digital technology in areas of digital policy, infrastructure, finance, skills, digital platforms and entrepreneurship.

According to ECA, the AI Centre “will be the first of its kind in Africa”, helping the host country to become a regional hub for the development of emerging technologies.

“Congo will serve as a regional AI hub across the continent to give access to the deepest and highest quality pool of AI talent,” said the UN Agency.

The centre is set up in the University of Dennis Sassou Nguesso with finance backing of ECA and partners as well as the support of the Government of the host country.

The AI Centre plans to offers hybrid modes of training on the areas of AI and robotics for researchers, youths and interested citizens.

The plan also involves provision of the centre’s state-of-the-art AI research facilities in its engagement with top ranked universities in Africa.

The pursuit of a Masters of Science Degree in Artificial Intelligence and data science in collaboration with the University is available at the AI Centre, according to the ECA.