UoK hosts ICAIED 2025, explores how AI is reshaping higher education

The University of Kigali is hosting the continent-wide International Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Education (ICAIED 2025) from December 8 to 12 2025, bringing together distinguished educators, AI innovators, policymakers, and researchers from across Africa and beyond. The event is being held at Lemigo Hotel in Kigali. Under the theme “AI & Emerging Issues: Implications for Teacher-Education Delivery in Africa”, ICAIED 2025 delivers a powerful platform for participants to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping teaching, learning, assessment and research in higher education, with a special focus on teacher training and capacity-building. The conference convenes a wide array of stakeholders: university faculty, ministry officials, EdTech developers, policy makers, NGOs, and young researchers, all converging to exchange knowledge, present research, and co-design solutions for the future of African education. For the University of Kigali, this conference aligns seamlessly with the institution’s strategic drive towards innovation, research excellence, and global relevance. The event exemplifies UoK’s commitment to preparing graduates for a rapidly evolving world where AI and digital competencies are essential. In her opening address, Prof. Ogechi Adeola, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Enterprise and Chair of ICAIED 2025, delivered a compelling welcome that framed the spirit and purpose of the conference. She emphasised both the promise of AI for African education and the responsibility to adopt it thoughtfully and ethically. Reflecting on the transformative moment Africa is experiencing, she noted: “Across Africa, artificial intelligence is no longer an abstract concept. It is shaping classrooms in Kigali, Nairobi, Lagos, Accra, Joburg and beyond. Students are increasingly using AI-powered writing tools, translation apps, learning platforms and automated assessments. “Yet as we embrace these opportunities, we must also recognise the realities that define our education ecosystem... complex questions about data privacy, algorithmic bias, digital sovereignty and ethics demand urgent attention.” The Vice Chancellor of UoK reaffirmed the university’s deep alignment with Rwanda’s forward-looking national agenda and its commitment to educational transformation. “At the University of Kigali, we are intentionally embracing artificial intelligence and innovation as catalysts for transforming higher education. Our mission is to equip students with the skills, mindsets, and technological competence required to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. As Rwanda moves boldly towards becoming a knowledge-based, digitally empowered economy, UoK stands ready to produce graduates who will not only participate in that journey but help shape it. We see AI not merely as a tool, but as an opportunity to rethink learning, expand research excellence, and drive impactful innovation across the continent.” The chairman of UoK’s Governing Body echoed this vision, underscoring that hosting ICAIED 2025 is a powerful reaffirmation of the university’s mission to lead Africa’s transformation through research-driven innovation, global collaboration, and academic excellence. Reflecting on the significance of the conference, he stated, “This conference on artificial intelligence and education is not just a gathering of experts; it is a clear demonstration of our commitment to building an ecosystem where innovation thrives, where ideas are exchanged, and where the future of education is shaped with purpose. “In convening scholars, policymakers, technologists, and educators from across Africa and the world, the University of Kigali is positioning Kigali as a continental hub for educational innovation, one that contributes meaningfully to Rwanda’s national development agenda.” At the national level, Rwanda has positioned itself as a leader in Africa’s digital transformation. The country’s pioneering National Artificial Intelligence Policy, adopted to promote responsible, inclusive AI development, seeks to leverage AI for sustainable growth, education reform, and economic competitiveness. In her address, Esther Kunda, the director general for Innovation and emerging Technologies, representing the Minister of ICT & Innovation, applauded the University of Kigali for convening such a timely and impactful gathering. She emphasised that artificial intelligence is not just a technological trend, but a transformative force shaping how societies learn, work, innovate, and solve problems. She stated: “Across the world, artificial intelligence is reshaping how people learn, work, communicate, and solve problems. For Africa, AI represents not only a technological shift, but an opportunity to accelerate progress in education, strengthen institutions, and empower a new generation of innovators and problem-solvers.” She further highlighted Rwanda’s commitment to building a digitally empowered nation, grounded in Vision 2050, the National Strategy for Transformation, and the country’s emerging AI coordination frameworks. Emphasising the pivotal role of education, Ingabire remarked: “AI cannot transform our continent without well-prepared teachers, strong governance systems, and robust institutional capacity. That is why this conference is so important.” She encouraged delegates to interrogate critical issues of AI ethics, accessibility, equity, and teacher empowerment, noting that solutions must be driven by collective action and cross-border collaboration. She concluded by officially opening ICAIED 2025, reaffirming government support for innovation and strong partnerships with institutions such as UoK. Dr Edward Kadozi, the director general of the Higher Education Council (HEC), delivered a powerful keynote that set the tone for the conference. In his remarks, he highlighted the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, while calling for responsible, equitable, and inclusive adoption within African education systems. “AI is not a magic wand, but it is a powerful set of tools that, used wisely, can strengthen what teachers do best, from amplifying personalised learning to enhancing formative assessment and accelerating professional development. “But promise without groundwork risks harm, deepened inequality, lowered standards, and erosion of professional agency. If we are honest about our readiness gaps, we can also be strategic.” This sentiment mirrors the objectives of ICAIED 2025. The conference aims to contribute to building an “AI-ready” education ecosystem, supporting teacher capacity, promoting equitable access, and ensuring that AI integration advances national goals under Rwanda’s broader development roadmap, such as its Vision 2050. The chairman of UoK’s board echoed this, noting that hosting ICAIED 2025 reaffirms the university’s mission to lead in research, global collaboration, and academic excellence, positioning Kigali as a hub of educational innovation for Africa. ICAIED 2025 has drawn an impressive mix of participants: veteran professors, policy analysts, EdTech entrepreneurs, government regulators, and young researchers from more than half a dozen countries across Africa. Their presence underscores the university’s international reach and the global importance of the conference themes. Sessions include keynote lectures, thematic panels, workshops, and breakout group discussions on topics ranging from adaptive learning systems, AI-driven assessment, ethics and data governance, to AI’s role in narrowing the digital divide and promoting equity in education. ICAIED 2025 delivers value across the entire education ecosystem: for educators and institutions, it offers a vital opportunity to stay ahead of global trends, adopt AI-powered teaching tools, and build capacity for future-oriented education delivery; for policy-makers and regulators, the conference’s insights and recommendations contribute directly to strengthening national frameworks governing AI integration in higher education, ensuring alignment with national policies and sector strategic plans. And for students and youth, it signals expanding opportunities through personalised, adaptive, and digitally inclusive learning pathways, preparing graduates with the AI-enhanced skills needed to compete and succeed in a globalised world. As Rwanda positions itself as Africa’s centre for AI research and innovation, initiatives such as ICAIED 2025 demonstrate how academic institutions can lead the way. The University of Kigali calls on governments, private sector players, development partners, and educators across Africa to embrace AI responsibly and ethically as a key enabler of transformation in education and beyond. ICAIED 2025 is more than a conference; it is a bold step towards a future where AI and education converge to unlock Africa’s potential. The conference received strong continental support, led by Afreximbank as the Gold Sponsor, reaffirming its Pan-African mandate to transform Africa’s trade landscape. A four-minute Afreximbank corporate video powerfully illustrated the Bank’s mission, strategic pillars, including Intra-African Trade, Industrialisation and Export Development, Leadership in Global Trade Banking, and Financial Sustainability, and its flagship initiatives advancing trade, investment, and social impact across the continent. Additional sponsorship from Cavalli Business & Investment Limited and DT Autocafe, as Silver Sponsors, further strengthened the event’s success and visibility, demonstrating the private sector’s commitment to advancing Africa’s innovation and development agenda.

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UoK hosts ICAIED 2025, explores how AI is reshaping higher education