As we commemorate the International Day of Education 2025 under the theme 'AI and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,' we reflect on the transformative power of education in equipping individuals and communities to understand and influence the trajectory of technological advancement.
Education fosters innovation, reduces inequalities, and empowers individuals to contribute meaningfully. It provides the foundation for AI to thrive, cultivating a generation capable of ethically applying AI to address global challenges.
While AI offers benefits such as personalized learning and administrative automation, it also raises ethical concerns, especially when data used lacks representation. In Africa, this often leads to underperformance of AI tools for underserved populations.
Education can solve this by promoting digital literacy and critical thinking, ensuring diverse representation in AI systems. It also plays a key role in: - Preparing students for the future of work - Fostering ethical AI development - Empowering marginalized communities
We call on stakeholders to invest in digital infrastructure, promote data sovereignty, and support lifelong learning. Let us commit to an inclusive, equitable, and human-centred approach to education in a technology-driven world.