https://en.sputniknews.africa/20250813/intelligence-has-no-passport-top-african-mathematician-urges-homegrown-ai-1076857358.html
'Intelligence Has No Passport': Top African Mathematician Urges Homegrown AI
'Intelligence Has No Passport': Top African Mathematician Urges Homegrown AI
Sputnik Africa
Could predictive mathematics rooted in African realities be the key to leapfrogging global artificial intelligence leaders? 13.08.2025, Sputnik Africa
2025-08-13T13:59+0200
2025-08-13T13:59+0200
2025-08-13T13:59+0200
african currents
podcasts
sputnik africa
africa
central africa
east africa
north africa
southern africa
west africa
china
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e9/08/0c/1076860324_0:88:400:313_1920x0_80_0_0_e22ed31b398d46dec821adfe6933e06c.jpg
'Intelligence Has No Passport': Top African Mathematician Urges Homegrown AI
Sputnik Africa
Could predictive mathematics rooted in African realities be the key to leapfrogging global artificial intelligence leaders?
In 2015, an African mathematician introduced groundbreaking concepts that transformed how scientists model reality. Now, he aims to harness those tools to drive an African-led AI revolution. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in China, he urged the continent to move beyond the shadow of Western AI rivalries and forge a distinct, multipolar presence on the global stage. With a simple yet powerful metaphor — an eagle raised among chickens will never know it can fly — he seeks to awaken Africa to its own potential. During an interview with African Currents, Abdon Atangana, a professor of applied mathematics at the University of the Free State's Institute for Groundwater Studies (South Africa), outlined his vision for Africa developing its own homegrown artificial intelligence. He emphasized that such AI must be rooted in African culture, languages, and mathematical foundations to attain digital sovereignty and foster sustainable development continent-wide.Want to hear more from our guests? Catch the full conversation on the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.You’ll find our episodes not just on the website, but also on Telegram.► You can also stream our podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Deezer, Pocket Casts, Afripods, Podcast Addict.► Check out all the episodes of African Currents.
africa
central africa
east africa
north africa
southern africa
west africa
china
south africa
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
2025
Chimauchem Nwosu
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e8/06/0b/1066992175_0:0:278:278_100x100_80_0_0_b5f6eaa3b85dbfcd0266ea860848a996.jpg
Chimauchem Nwosu
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e8/06/0b/1066992175_0:0:278:278_100x100_80_0_0_b5f6eaa3b85dbfcd0266ea860848a996.jpg
News
en_EN
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Sputnik Africa
feedback@sputniknews.com
+74956456601
MIA „Rossiya Segodnya“
Chimauchem Nwosu
https://cdn1.img.sputniknews.africa/img/07e8/06/0b/1066992175_0:0:278:278_100x100_80_0_0_b5f6eaa3b85dbfcd0266ea860848a996.jpg
podcasts, sputnik africa, africa, central africa, east africa, north africa, southern africa, west africa, china, south africa, artificial intelligence (ai), аудио
podcasts, sputnik africa, africa, central africa, east africa, north africa, southern africa, west africa, china, south africa, artificial intelligence (ai), аудио
'Intelligence Has No Passport': Top African Mathematician Urges Homegrown AI
Could predictive mathematics rooted in African realities be the key to leapfrogging global artificial intelligence leaders?
In 2015, an African mathematician introduced groundbreaking concepts that transformed how scientists model reality. Now, he aims to harness those tools to drive an African-led AI revolution. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in China, he urged the continent to move beyond the shadow of Western AI rivalries and forge a distinct, multipolar presence on the global stage. With a simple yet powerful metaphor — an eagle raised among chickens will never know it can fly — he seeks to awaken Africa to its own potential.
During an interview with African Currents, Abdon Atangana, a professor of applied mathematics at the University of the Free State's Institute for Groundwater Studies (South Africa), outlined his vision for Africa developing its own homegrown artificial intelligence. He emphasized that such AI must be rooted in African culture, languages, and mathematical foundations to attain digital sovereignty and foster sustainable development continent-wide.
"In 2035, I envision an Africa that is not only using artificial intelligence but shaping it. Where our mathematicians lead global breakthroughs like what I have explained now, our engineers export technology, and our youth are no longer job seekers but job creators. I also hope to leave behind not only equations and citation, But a movement, a generation of Africans who believe in their minds, who know that intelligence has no passport, no color, no geographic place," Professor Atangana said.
Want to hear more from our guests? Catch the full conversation on the African Currents podcast, brought to you by Sputnik Africa.
You’ll find our episodes not just on the website, but also on
Telegram.► Check out all the episodes of African Currents. 
