The MoU formed part of a partnership between the commission and the African Diaspora Central Bank (ADCB) to train some young people across Africa in AI for free, starting from Ghana.

A key component of the collaboration is the establishment of a dedicated AI training centre at the ATU for 2,000 students and staff at a sponsored cost of $250 per participant, costing $500,000 in total.

Additionally, a stimulus package of $100 per participant, amounting to $200,000, brings the commission’s overall sponsorship cost for the AI training programme to $700,000.

The commission will also provide a seed fund of $200,000 to support the ATU Research Innovation Funds (ARIF) to award grants to staff, students and researchers with innovative applied research projects in the university community and for advancing science and technology.

The acting Vice-Chancellor of ATU, Professor Amevi Acakpovi, said the MoU represented a pivotal moment for both institutions, as it had set the stage for a robust exchange of knowledge, resources and expertise in the field of AI.

“At ATU, we believe in the transformative power of technology to drive innovation, solve complex problems and improve the lives of our societies. Through this partnership, we are committed to harnessing the potential of AI to address pressing challenges and foster sustainable development in our respective regions,” he said.

Prof. Acakpovi expressed gratitude to the Vanuatu Trade Commission for its commitment towards collaboration and the vision to harness AI for positive change across Africa.