How a masters program in machine intelligence is trying to close an African tech gap

The first dedicated masters degree program for machine intelligence in Africa is launching in September with backing from tech leaders Google and Facebook. The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), which created the program, says the African Masters of Machine Intelligence (AMMI) is crucial so African countries don't get left behind as advancements in machine intelligence rapidly develop. "The lack of MI researchers from Africa means that many opportunities to use MI to create a better and more stable world are being missed," said Moustapha Cissé, founder of the program. He noted Africa is on the lower end of a "technology gap" in the field. This is why the program is called the "African Masters" in machine intelligence, as a branding strategy but also because the challenges they are choosing to focus on in the program will be challenges and insights relevant to Africa.