Exploring Artificial Intelligence Utilization for Engineering Education and Research in Africa

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to revolutionize engineering education and research in Africa, offering opportunities for innovation and sustainable development. This study aims to assess the current utilization of AI in African engineering education and provide recommendations for its enhancement, empowering African engineering students to lead in AI research efforts. Through a meticulously designed questionnaire, the researchers delved into various aspects of AI integration, including understanding and usage, ethical considerations, resource needs, learning methodologies, skills development, industry collaboration, and strategies for maintaining relevance in the AI era. The results indicate that while AI is actively used in Africa, its application often lacks depth. Therefore, there is a critical need to expand the use of AI for more engaging research applications, collaboration, and engineering practices. The insights gained from this research will help shape the future of engineering curriculum design to foster innovation and the global competitiveness of Africa. This pioneering exploration not only sheds light on the present AI landscape in engineering education and research in Africa but also ignites a vision for an AI-driven transformation that could position Africa as a leading contributor in engineering advancements on the global stage.