Addressing key AI research and knowledge gaps
Our Research Strategy
Improving strategic leadership of AI research in Africa
Our Research Strategy
Using AI to address African development challenges
Our Research Strategy
Building the research and innovation ecosystem for
AI
Our Research Strategy
ABOUT AIRU
The mission of the Artificial Intelligence Research Unit (AIRU) is to provide research and thought leadership to academia, industry, government and civil society, so that they can leverage AI to improve people’s lives. AIRU is based in the Department of Computer Science in the Faculty of Science at the University of Cape Town, and is led by Prof Tommie Meyer and Prof Deshen Moodley. We harness blue sky AI approaches to explore innovative applications of artificial intelligence to advance Africa.
As hosts of South Africa’s national AI network, the Centre for AI Research (CAIR), AIRU has strong local and international networks and affiliations. As the Department of Science and Innovation’s flagship programme for AI, CAIR is a key instrument for building South Africa’s foundational capacity for AI research in alignment with the government strategy over the next 10 years.
LATEST NEWS
Dr Irene Nandutu wins the 2024 Kambule Doctoral Award
Dr Irene Nandutu, a postdoctoral research fellow working with the Neuroscience Institute and the AI Research Unit at the University of Cape Town, won the…
Tommie Meyer elected as an AAS Fellow
June 2024 — Tommie Meyer, co-director of AIRU, has been elected as a Fellow of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) in recognition of his…
Mbithe Nzomo awarded Best Student Paper at 8th International Workshop on Health Intelligence (W3PHIAI-24)
March 2024 — Mbithe Nzomo, PhD candidate in Computer Science at the University of Cape Town and member of the Artificial Intelligence Research Unit (AIRU),…