Artificial intelligence (AI) is speedily becoming an integral part of today’s world and is being utilised in almost everything that is used today, from cell phones, laptops, TVs, and fridges making them smarter and easier to use. These devices are now capable to use AI which also require an AI workforce with AI skills to equip them, which regrettably there is a huge shortage of AI skills.

To address this issue and create adaptable students as part of DUT’s ENVISION2030 strategic plan, it became a necessity for the Durban University of Technology’s Faculty of Accounting and Informatics to equip students with AI skills, to increase the employability of students; assisted by Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors in South Africa to inspire fellow South Africans through technology.

For this to happen, an initiative called Inspire SA was recently launched and started by DUT’s Narcisse Mbuyu, A Gold Microsoft Learn Student Ambassador and Azure Hero AI Ambassador, who is currently studying towards his Advanced Diploma in Application Development.

Inspire SA also aims to share knowledge and give exposure to individuals, communities, and tertiary institutions to the latest technology and most importantly to impact people’s lives with technology by giving them skills that they can use to create their own opportunities. It will also help with the integration of AI by giving tutorials and lessons on AI to students so that they can make use of it, plus to host more AI Gaming events.

Mbuyu introduced AI Gaming to South Africa and the Durban University of Technology (DUT), which is the first university to have exposure and experience to what AI Gaming is all about.

“The aim of AI Gaming is to introduce AI and Azure to students in an enjoyable and interactive way so that they have fun and learn at the same time. Most importantly, to be empowered as these skills and technology are rare in the market. It is uncommon that students are not exposed to it or even aware of it so I wanted change this perception and brought AI Gaming in South Africa so that my peers can be exposed to the latest breath-taking technologies, to use in their schoolwork, in the industry with employment and lastly creating their own businesses with the technology,” said Mbuyu.

He indicated that the participants that attended the launch of AI Gaming really benefited tremendously, even though it was a small number, but it will go a long way in their lives and technology in South Africa, as well as creating a partnership with Microsoft, AI Gaming with South African universities.

“In other words, creating noise that the respective companies mentioned can invest in South Africa. All in all, the focus of AI gaming is to expose South African students to technology that they are not used to and to empower them to make something of the exposure out in the industry and in their lives,” he said.

Mbuyu is currently in talks of having more AI Gaming events at other South African universities, and at DUT, to build on that introduction and expose more South African students to technology.

For more information on Inspire SA https://youtu.be/WzaGbkcxNpA

Pictured: Narcisse Mbuyu

Waheeda Peters