The SIMAD AI Institute, in partnership with UNESCO Campus Africa and GIZ, successfully organized a national AI Training Workshop on October 7, 2025, at the Amara Hotel, Mogadishu. The event brought together more than forty representatives from universities across Somalia, including ICT directors, academic staff, QA teams, researchers, and administrators.
Workshop Highlights
The full-day workshop guided participants through four interactive sessions:
- Fundamentals of AI – Introducing machine learning, neural networks, LLMs, and demystifying AI
- AI Use Cases in Higher Education – Exploring real-world academic applications
- Concerns & Challenges – Discussing ethics, academic integrity, ICT limitations, and readiness
- AI Policies & Institutional Planning – Building practical action points for AI adoption
The workshop created a rare environment of collaboration, reflection, and shared learning. Participants developed a clearer understanding of AI opportunities and challenges within their institutions and drafted initial steps toward responsible AI integration.
Key Outcomes
- Improved AI awareness at institutional level
- Recognition of digital infrastructure gaps
- Stronger inter-university collaboration
- Momentum toward AI policy development
- Engagement with UNESCO and GIZ for future programs
A full workshop report, agenda, and photos are available upon request