TAIRI scholars participate in Australia-Africa Universities Network (AAUN) Conference.

On 23 May 2025, students conducting research under the Transformative Artificial Intelligence Research and Innovation Lab (TAIRI Lab) project, along with Professor Damien Hanyurwimfura, the Principal Investigator and some project members, participated in the Australia-Africa Universities Network (AAUN) Conference held in Kigali from May 22–24, 2025.

The conference, themed “Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education,” aimed to reflect on the growing role of AI in transforming university education, research, and innovation. It brought together academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers to explore how AI can drive sustainable development, enhance education systems, and address both global and regional challenges.

TAIRI scholars and Project Investigator Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura pose for a group photo during the AAUN Conference

In his presentation, Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, TAIRI Project Investigator, shared insights on the implementation status of AI initiatives across African universities under the Science of AI Africa-AI framework. He highlighted the readiness of African universities to leverage AI and discussed the extent to which African countries have integrated AI into their national policies. He noted that only four countries—Senegal, Benin, Rwanda, and Mauritius—currently have AI strategies.

Prof. Hanyurwimfura also outlined several initiatives underway in African universities aimed at promoting and advancing the use of AI across various sectors. Hanyurwimfura highlighted other national developments in AI, noting that the Ministry of ICT and Innovation has launched an AI Innovation Lab , while the Ministry of Health is piloting a smart health assistant powered by ChatGPT, to address health-related queries

Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura, TAIRI Project Investigator during the conference

Project Investigator Prof. Damien Hanyurwimfura in a pannel discussion about the use of AI in academic research

Enata Mukantwari, a PhD student under the TAIRI Lab project in the health cluster, spoke about “Gendered Research and AI.” She shared the motivations behind her involvement in AI-related research. “I was fortunate to have a father who believed in me, and that belief gave me the confidence to pursue science,” said Mukantwali. "However, many girls are still discouraged from joining science and technology fields due to social norms and limited resources”, she added.

Enata Mukantwari, a PhD student under TAIRI Lab project shared the motivations behind her involvement in AI-related research

Participants to the conference posed for a group photo