Introduction
Dr. Ayorkor Korsah, Head of the Computer Science and Information Systems Department at ASHESI University, introduces the university’s new Master’s in Intelligent Computing Systems. She is joined by Dr. Stephane Nwolley, CEO of Npontu Technologies and Chairperson of the ICT sector of the Association of Ghana Industries, to discuss how AI is transforming African industries and why education must adapt.
How AI Is Impacting Industry and Society in Africa.
Dr. Nwolley emphasizes that African industries are rapidly digitizing, with AI playing a crucial role. This includes:
- Process automation
- Predictive analytics
- Health applications using image analysis for dermatology
- Fraud detection and credit scoring in fintech
- Personalized learning in education
“Mobile penetration is very high now in Africa, and fintechs are losing money. AI is being used to solve those challenges.”
However, there is a significant skills gap. Many companies outsource talent and training to Asia due to a lack of local expertise.
The Talent Challenge
“The challenge is that even though we have talent, many are just evangelists—not practitioners with deep, applied skills.”
Dr. Nwolley explains that while the demand for AI is rising, the continent still struggles to develop a skilled workforce, especially those who can combine AI knowledge with systems thinking and cybersecurity.
ASHESI University’s New Master’s Program
To solve this, ASHESI University has launched a Master’s program in Intelligent Computing Systems, integrating:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Software Engineering
- Cybersecurity
Dr. Korsah explains the goal is to train professionals who can apply AI in real-world systems and build secure, scalable software solutions.
“Many programs stop at training the model. We go beyond — teaching how to integrate it into actual systems for real-world impact.”
What Makes the Program Unique?
- Interdisciplinary Curriculum
All students study AI, Software Engineering, and Security — then specialize in one. - Project-Based Learning
Real-world projects are built from day one, not just after theory. - Industry Practicum
Strong collaboration with industry partners ensures students solve relevant problems.
“Engineers build solutions, but security is often treated as an afterthought. We’re reversing that.” — Dr. Nwolley
Industry Relevance
Dr. Nwolley explains that industries often spend extra money to outsource security auditing and intelligence features. This program aims to produce engineers who bake in security and intelligence from the start, saving time and cost.
“We want engineers who design with privacy and security in mind — not as an afterthought.”
Why Research Still Matters
Dr. Nwolley reflects on his own journey from engineering into research:
“When problems go beyond what you know, theory and literature guide you.”
He highlights the importance of research-backed innovation in building reliable systems — and how ASHESI’s approach encourages this mindset.
Final Thoughts
This conversation offers a vision for Africa’s AI future — one grounded in local talent development, integrated learning, and industry collaboration.
Both speakers agree: Africa must not only adopt AI — it must lead it, innovate, and shape it for its own unique challenges.
Sources:
- 🌐 Visit ASHESI University
- 🎮 Watch the full interview on YouTube
- 🔗 Connect with Dr. Ayorkor Korsah or Dr. Stephane Nwolley on LinkedIn
Tags: #Npontu #SnwolleyAI #ArtificialIntelligence #AfricaTech #EdTech #AIinAfrica #ASHESIUniversity #AIEducation #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #Cybersecurity #SoftwareEngineering
