Bolor-Erdene Battsengel, a former government official from Mongolia, advocates for AI education among nomadic herders to bridge the digital divide. Founder of AI Academy Asia, she aims to train teachers to enhance educational access in rural communities. Battsengel’s initiatives emphasize the importance of equal opportunities and practical skills in leveraging AI to improve livelihoods amidst existing inequalities.
Bolor-Erdene Battsengel, a former Mongolian government official and herder, is advocating for the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) in Mongolia’s nomadic communities. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, she shared her motivation, driven by her background in herding and her commitment to digital education. With 30% of Mongolia’s 3.5 million residents engaged in nomadic herding, she seeks to bridge the digital divide through AI education.
She founded AI Academy Asia with the aim of training 500 teachers to provide AI education to rural communities, emphasizing equal educational access. This initiative addresses the broader global issue of digital inequality, indicating that 2.2 billion children globally lack internet access, while 84% of Mongolia’s population utilizes it. Battsengel highlights that AI could further exacerbate existing inequalities if proactive measures are not taken.
Battsengel has a remarkable personal journey, having transitioned from a rural upbringing to becoming the first Vice Minister of Digital Development in Mongolia at just 29. Her previous efforts included spearheading the “E-Mongolia” initiative, which digitizes governmental services for individuals in remote areas. This initiative allows citizens to access services online, minimizing travel burdens.
In 2021, she also established Girls Code, a nonprofit focused on providing coding opportunities for disadvantaged girls, resulting in graduates who have pursued prestigious education and successful careers in technology. Through AI Academy Asia, she aims to extend these opportunities to boys and communities at large, fostering AI literacy necessary for future job markets.
The transformation expected from AI necessitates local adaptations in national strategies to ensure equitable access to opportunities. Battsengel’s curriculum focuses on practical applications of AI for herders, such as predicting weather patterns, which is crucial for survival in regions impacted by severe winters.
She asserts that by equipping herder communities with AI knowledge, they can significantly enhance their livelihoods and resilience against challenges like the extreme weather phenomenon known as “dzud.” “I really hope that they use the knowledge (of AI), even in the countryside, to really improve their quality of life.”
The subject of digital inclusion and access to education has become increasingly critical in the face of technological advancements. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape jobs globally, disparities in access to technology can further marginalize rural and disadvantaged communities. This is especially pertinent in Mongolia, where a significant proportion of the population engages in nomadic herding, facing unique challenges in accessing education and technology.
Bolor-Erdene Battsengel’s initiatives highlight the important intersection of technology and education, particularly within Mongolia’s nomadic herding communities. By promoting digital inclusion through AI education, she seeks to mitigate the adverse effects of existing inequalities and foster sustainable development. The focus on practical skills tailored to local needs further emphasizes the potential of technology to positively impact rural life.
Original Source: edition.cnn.com
