The Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) innovation and startup training program has concluded its first phase, offering a chance for participants to reflect on their learning and share their plans for the second phase.
Launched in March, the initiative aims to equip young people in Ghana with the skills needed to leverage technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to address challenges in key sectors such as agriculture, health, education, mining, and energy, as well as creating solutions for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs).
The initiative funded by the French Embassy in Ghana and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and Artificial Intelligence for Development (AI4D), aims to empower youth to transform ideas into real world solutions while creating job opportunities.
Photograph of some of the participants
A total of 17 teams, comprising 51 participants, were selected to take part in the AI4SD innovation and startup training.
The first phase concluded with a workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Ethics led by Mr. Musah Ibrahim Ali, a researcher at the Responsible AI Lab.
Mr. Musah Ibrahim Ali, a researcher at the Responsible AI Lab and the facilitator of the final session of the first phase of the innovation and entrepreneurship challenge
Several participants shared how the training had shaped their approach to their projects and future endeavors.
Allen Selasie Ametame, a member of team Raidtech Eduline, is among the many participants who have experienced a significant transformation through the Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) innovation and startup training program.
Allen Selasie Ametame, a participant of the AI4SD innovation and entrepreneurship challenge
Raidtech Eduline is on a mission to bridge the educational divide by supplementing traditional education with online resources that empower students to achieve their highest potential.
For Ametame and his team, the training goes beyond the classroom.
“Entrepreneurship spirit is not built in the classroom, we get to learn the skills to start our own ventures, rather than just looking for traditional corporate jobs,” he explained.
Ransford Oppong, a final year Biomedical Engineering student from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), said the training empowered his team, Obstamed, to work on a smart obstacle detection unit for assistive technologies for the visually impaired.
Ransford Oppong, a participant of the AI4SD innovation and entrepreneurship challenge
“This program has given us the tools to turn our dream into a reality, especially with the knowledge we’ve gained in design thinking, business law, and ethical considerations,” said Oppong.
His team looks forward to learning more about funding opportunities and refining their business model in the second phase.
Afriyie Ampem Kobi of the SkyFarm team, which focuses on transforming agriculture through drone technology, revealed the first phase was an eye-opener.
Afriyie Ampem Kobi of the SkyFarm team and a participant of the AI4SD innovation training
“I never took my algorithm course seriously until I realized how it ties into what we are doing here,” she said.
Her team hopes to fine tune their drone technology for crop disease detection and fertilizer application in the next phase.
Samuel Fifi from team Farmfly, which is also working on agricultural technology with drones, expressed his gratitude for the training, particularly in areas such as intellectual property rights and business law.
“The insights we’ve gained about protecting our ideas and generating business models will be crucial in the next phase,” he said.
As the first phase of the program wraps up, participants are eager to dive deeper into the business aspects of their projects and continue refining their AI-driven solutions.
Photograph of the first training sessions with participants
Prince Asiedu, also of team Farmfly said, “The exposure we’ve had to real world industry challenges and the skills we’ve learned will guide us in turning our ideas into viable products.
The Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Development (AI4SD) will keep a close eye on the progress as each team transforms their ideas into tangible products.
