In a milestone event held at the Google Research Office in Accra, Youth in AI officially launched the Youth in AI Lab, a visionary initiative set to transform the role of young Africans in the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. This momentous occasion brought together students, researchers, mentors, and technology leaders to celebrate youth-led innovation and the future of AI for social good.
The Youth in AI Lab was born from the pressing need to empower African youth to solve real-world challenges using advanced AI technologies. From climate change to healthcare, education, and sustainable agriculture, the Lab’s mission is clear: to nurture a generation of AI innovators committed to sustainable impact and responsible AI development.
Even though access to resources can be a challenge, I said why not? If we need to create solutions, we will,” said Adiza Alhassan, Vice President of Youth in AI, during the official launch countdown. “We started this Lab to empower young learners, not just experts. If they are enthusiastic, we will bring them on board and connect them with mentors.
The launch featured a celebratory countdown and unveiling moment, with Alhassan sharing the Lab’s inspirational origin, sparked by her attendance at last year’s Deep Learning Indaba, and the determination to create research opportunities even amidst resource limitations.
Youth-Led Innovation in Action
Misbawu Abdallah, President of Youth in AI highlighted that as a team they came up with a deep learning model that can tackle some specific problems.
“We are currently making some significant breakthroughs in these areas of research and we are hoping to share them with our wider community very soon. We believe there’s a solution to every problem, we just have to sit down and figure out what must be done and that is exactly what the AI Lab seeks to do.”. – Misbawu stated.
Already, the Youth in AI Lab has embarked on two groundbreaking research projects:
- Deep Learning Model for Liver Ultrasound Image Segmentation: A predictive tool aimed at enhancing diagnostic accuracy in healthcare, to be presented at the 2025 Deep Learning Indaba in Rwanda.
- Adaptive Deep Learning Model for Avocado Disease Detection: A project targeting food security and agricultural sustainability.
More research projects are in development, with a focus on AI applications that directly address African societal needs.
Reimagining AI From the Ground Up
Backed by a global network of researchers, mentors, and industry partners, the Lab offers:
- Deep technical workshops and innovation sprints
- Sector-specific research and fellowships
- Talks and training programs to boost AI literacy and talent development
The initiative also aligns with Youth in AI’s broader vision of “AI for Social Good”, supporting solutions in healthcare, energy, agriculture, and education, all while prioritizing ethical AI practices and community-led research.
With its base in Ghana, the Lab aspires to become a continental hub of youth-led AI innovation, shaping employability, talent pipelines, and transformative solutions across Africa and beyond.
The launch of the Youth in AI Lab marks not only a celebration of innovation but a call to action, to invest in young minds, accelerate African research capacity, and ensure AI’s future includes all voices.
First published in DTC Official Gh
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