Malian Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maiga, officially inaugurated the Second International Congress of the CAMES Thematic Research Program “Languages, Societies, Cultures, and Civilizations” (PTR-LSCC) on Tuesday, April 22nd.
The high-level congress, held at Yambo Ouologuem University in Kabala, is focusing on the transformative power of digital development and artificial intelligence (AI) within African contexts.
The opening ceremony was attended by Professor Bourema Kansaye, Mali’s Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, alongside numerous distinguished academics and experts representing 14 different countries, highlighting the international significance of the event.
The congress, themed “African Societies and Cultures in the Digital and Artificial Intelligence Era,” is taking place from April 21st to 25th, 2025, and has brought together 86 speakers. These experts will engage in critical scientific reflections on the rapid pace of technological change, the persistent digital divides, crucial cultural considerations, and the development of uniquely African perspectives on achieving technological sovereignty.
In his opening address, Prime Minister Maiga underscored the critical importance of digital technologies and AI for the continent’s future, stating that “digital technology is not a luxury, and artificial intelligence is not a mere tool. They are powerful levers for development, but also factors of division, which must be harnessed and integrated according to our realities.” He emphasized that this strategic positioning aligns with the Transition government’s strong desire to make digital technology a fundamental driver of social, educational, economic, and cultural transformation across Mali.
The Prime Minister also commended CAMES (African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education) for its dynamic efforts in fostering continental scientific integration and highlighted Mali’s proactive engagement with technological advancements. In this context, he pointed to the establishment of the Mali Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics as a significant milestone in realizing this ambition.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Maiga identified four key priority areas for Africa’s digital advancement: firstly, education, through the crucial training of young people in essential 21st-century skills; secondly, accessibility, by actively working to reduce the costs associated with data and digital devices; thirdly, sovereignty, by prioritizing the development of African-owned digital platforms and ensuring local data hosting; and finally, inclusion, by actively integrating marginalized groups such as women, the elderly, and those living in rural areas into the ongoing digital revolution.
Ms. Aimee-Danielle Lezou Koffi, the coordinator of the PTR-LSCC program and also the chair of the congress’s scientific committee, urged participants to frame their discussions from a critical, interdisciplinary, and globally informed perspective. She emphasized that the researchers gathered in Bamako have cultivated a way of thinking that is deeply attentive to the complexities of African societies, their rich imaginations, and their inherent creative capacities. She stressed that digital technology and artificial intelligence hold unprecedented potential for the continent, provided they are approached with intellectual rigor and clear-sightedness.
The congress program features a wide array of scientific presentations and thematic panel discussions. Key topics being addressed include digital governance frameworks, the vital role of African languages in the digital environment, the digitization and preservation of cultural heritage, and the development of innovative educational models tailored to the specific needs and contexts of Africa.
Prime Minister Maiga concluded his opening remarks by expressing his sincere gratitude to the CAMES researchers and partner organizations for their unwavering commitment to the advancement of African knowledge. He also extended his congratulations to the Ministry of Higher Education for the successful organization of this strategically important meeting, underscoring its potential to shape the future of digital development and AI application across the African continent.
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