he IDL Conference Centre at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) is the place for a continental dialogue on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) from 15th to 17th October 2025. Hosted by the Responsible AI Lab (RAIL), the Fourth Pan African AI and Smart Systems Conference brought together a vibrant community of researchers, academics, industry experts, and students to explore groundbreaking ideas and forge collaborations that will shape Africa’s technological destiny.
The conference was inaugurated with a powerful call to action, emphasising Africa’s unique position and responsibility in the global AI landscape.
Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director, RAIL
In his opening address, Prof. Jerry John Kponyo, Principal Investigator and Scientific Director of RAIL, framed the conference within the broader vision of KNUST’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson. He highlighted her focus on “constructive partnerships,” a theme directly linked to Sustainable Development Goal 17.
“KNUST’s commitment requires that our research leads to the transformation of communities. Through the Responsible AI Lab, KNUST has become a strong and global voice in ensuring that no one is left out in the rollout of AI solutions,” Prof. Kponyo stated
While acknowledging the tremendous potential of AI and smart systems to transform the world, Prof. Kponyo struck a crucial note of caution. “We must always ensure that there are guardrails for using these technologies,” he asserted. “AI should always enable humans to be better at what we do and not take over from us. There must always be human oversight.”
Prof. Kponyo with a call to action for capacity building
He positioned the conference as a pivotal platform for open discussion on how Africa can play a key role in shaping the future of AI, leveraging its greatest asset: its youth. “With a median age of 19 years, Africa is the youngest population globally and constitutes the workforce for emerging technologies for many years.”
Echoing a sentiment that resonated throughout the event, Prof. Kponyo announced a bold ambition: “Today, like the biblical mustard seed, we want to sow a seed through this conference, which will create a pipeline for all experts in the diaspora to come home so that together, we can build the needed capacity in AI, Quantum, IoT, Blockchain, and emerging technologies to transform our continent.”
Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, Vice-Chancellor, KNUST
In her address, the Vice-Chancellor of KNUST, Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, reinforced the university’s steadfast commitment to leading this charge. She praised RAIL’s prolific activities under Prof. Kponyo’s leadership since 2022, which have attracted numerous partners for collaborations to solve societal problems.
Providing a tangible example of KNUST’s strategy, Prof. Dickson revealed a significant institutional policy: “KNUST has developed an AI strategy and as part of that, all KNUST students with effect from the next academic year, will take a micro credit add course on the fundamentals of AI. The university is very keen on preparing the students for the future, which is already here.”
She also connected the conference to the upcoming 11th KNUST Summer School, which will focus on “AI in Education,” showcasing the university’s holistic approach to integrating AI across its core functions of teaching, learning, research, and innovation.
Prof. Thomas Ndousse-Fetter, Imhotep Geostrategic Innovations, USA
Prof. Thomas Ndousse-Fetter of Imhotep Geostrategic Innovations, USA, recounted the genesis of the conference series. He explained that the Pan African AI and Smart Systems Conference was born from a need to overcome the isolation African academics often face in international forums due to visa and funding challenges.
“This conference series was created to bring those in the diaspora to the continent to share and learn,” Prof. Ndousse-Fetter said. He emphatically stated the continent’s core aspiration: “Africa does not want to be only consumers of AI but also to be involved with its cultural values. We want to be in control and in the driver’s seat.”
Following its beginnings in Namibia (2021) and Senegal (2022), the conference at KNUST featured rich discussions around its core themes of AI fundamentals, smart infrastructure, and AI ethics. The agenda was packed with panel discussions, networking sessions, and explorations of practical applications, such as developing AI models for African language translation to bridge communication barriers.
Overview of participants
The Fourth Pan African AI and Smart Systems Conference 2025 has firmly established itself as a cornerstone event in Africa’s technology calendar. It successfully served as a dynamic marketplace for ideas, a catalyst for partnerships, and a powerful statement of intent. As the seeds sown at this conference begin to grow, the collective resolve is clear: Africa is not just ready for the AI revolution; it is poised to lead it with homegrown solutions, responsible oversight, and its vibrant, youthful energy.