THEME
Artificial Intelligence, Emerging Technologies and the Future of Technical Education and Sustainable Development in Africa
The theme recognises that technology is not an end in itself. Rather, technology should be understood as an instrument for improving human capabilities, strengthening institutions, increasing productivity, promoting innovation and addressing development challenges.
The conference will examine both the opportunities and risks associated with emerging technologies, with particular attention to African realities.
The central question will be:
How can African education systems, industries, governments and communities harness Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies to build relevant skills, strengthen innovation and achieve inclusive and sustainable development?
SUB-THEMES
From the above main theme, the following sub-themes have been formulated:
Sub-theme 1: Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education
Possible topics include:
- Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning
- Generative AI and academic research
- AI-assisted assessment
- AI and curriculum development
- AI literacy for university students
- AI in educational administration
- Artificial Intelligence and academic integrity
- Personalised learning through AI
- AI-enabled student support systems
- The future of university teaching in the age of AI
Sub-theme 2: Technical and Vocational Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution
- Industry 4.0 and technical education
- Competency-based technical education
- Digital skills development
- Technical teacher preparation
- Skills mismatch and employability
- Smart classrooms and laboratories
- Virtual and augmented reality in technical education
- Digital pedagogy
- Work-based learning
- Industry-linked curriculum development
Sub-theme 3: Emerging Technologies and Industrial Transformation
- Robotics and automation
- Internet of Things
- Big data analytics
- Smart manufacturing
- 3D printing
- Digital twins
- Advanced manufacturing
- Industrial automation
- Predictive maintenance
- Technology adoption in African industries
Sub-theme 4: ICT, Digital Transformation and Smart Africa
- Digital transformation
- Digital public services
- Digital inclusion
- Broadband connectivity
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud computing
- Mobile technologies
- Digital platforms
- E-government
- Smart cities and smart communities
Sub-theme 5: Artificial Intelligence, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- AI-enabled entrepreneurship
- Technology start-ups
- Digital business models
- Innovation ecosystems
- Entrepreneurship education
- FinTech
- E-commerce
- Digital marketing
- Innovation financing
- Technology-based SMEs
Sub-theme 6: Agriculture, Food Security and Emerging Technologies
- Precision agriculture
- AI in agriculture
- Smart irrigation
- Agricultural drones
- Digital extension services
- Climate-smart agriculture
- Agricultural value chains
- Digital agribusiness
- Food processing technologies
- Post-harvest technologies
Sub-theme 7: Renewable Energy and Green Technologies
- Solar energy
- Off-grid energy systems
- Energy storage
- Energy efficiency
- Green engineering
- Climate-smart technologies
- Waste-to-energy
- Circular economy
- Sustainable manufacturing
- Renewable energy entrepreneurship
Sub-theme 8: Engineering Innovation and Sustainable Infrastructure
- Sustainable construction
- Smart infrastructure
- Green buildings
- Transportation technologies
- Water and sanitation technologies
- Infrastructure resilience
- Materials engineering
- Waste management
- Sustainable urban development
- Engineering solutions for rural communities
Sub-theme 9: Technology, Employment and the Future of Work
- AI and employment
- Automation and labour markets
- Future skills
- Youth employment
- Reskilling and upskilling
- Digital freelancing
- Gig economy
- Technology and human capital development
- Women in technology
- Entrepreneurship as an alternative to unemployment
Sub-theme 10: AI Ethics, Governance and Responsible Innovation
- AI ethics
- Data protection
- Algorithmic bias
- Responsible AI
- AI governance
- Intellectual property
- Cybersecurity
- Digital rights
- AI regulation
- Responsible research and innovation
Sub-theme 11: Technology and Inclusive Development
- Digital inclusion
- Technology and poverty reduction
- Technology for persons with disabilities
- Gender and digital inclusion
- Rural digital transformation
- Technology and vulnerable communities
- Digital financial inclusion
- Technology for social protection
- Community innovation
- Indigenous knowledge and technology
Sub-theme 12: Technology, Health and Well-being
- Digital health
- Telemedicine
- AI-assisted healthcare
- Health information systems
- Digital mental-health support
- Biomedical technologies
- Health data management
- Rural healthcare technologies
- Medical innovation
- Technology and public health
Sub-theme 13: Technology, Guidance, Counselling and Human Development
- AI-assisted career counselling
- Digital career guidance
- Future careers and emerging occupations
- Youth employability
- Counselling in the digital era
- Technology and student well-being
- Digital addiction
- Career decision-making
- Life skills and digital citizenship
Sub-theme 14: Research, Innovation and Technology Transfer
- University research and innovation
- Research commercialisation
- Intellectual property
- University-industry partnerships
- Innovation hubs
- Technology incubation
- Research funding
- Entrepreneurship from university research
- Patents and innovation
- Knowledge transfer
2.15 Sub-theme 15: Policy, Institutions and Sustainable Development
- Technology policy
- National innovation systems
- Higher education policy
- Digital transformation policy
- Science and technology governance
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Public-private partnerships
- Institutional innovation
- Technology financing
- African technology policy