Jospin Hassan, a resident of Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, realized the lack of educational opportunities in his environment, particularly in cutting-edge fields like data science and artificial intelligence that can offer employment opportunities and solutions to local challenges. This led him to establish his organization, ADAI Circle, after he earned a spot in the 2020-21 cohort of the Certificate Program in Computer and Data Science from MIT Refugee Action Hub (ReACT).
ReACT, now known as Emerging Talent, is part of the Jameel World Education Lab (J-WEL) at MIT Open Learning. The program delivers high-quality education incorporating computer science, data analysis, professional skill-building, experiential learning, and networking opportunities with global innovators from MIT. Hassan used this knowledge and these skills to educate others in the Dzaleka camp.
ADAI Circle, initiated in 2020, endeavors to alleviate poverty in Malawi and produce employment opportunities through technology and innovation. It offers classes in data science, artificial intelligence, software development, and hardware design, while their Innovation Hub provides free internet access.
Hassan thought of starting ADAI Circle in 2018 due to a barrier he encountered in his own learning journey. Dissatisfied with the limited scope of coding lessons in the refugee camp, he set out to create a curriculum focusing on the potential longevity and job creation power of AI.
By following the bootcamps model practiced at MIT as a standard for ADAI Circle’s yearly hackathon, students are chosen based on their aptitude for the program. Through the hackathon, students are encouraged to hone their data science and robotic skills while establishing a community-oriented mindset.
In addition to utilising practical skills gained from the Emerging Talent program, Hassan leveraged its networking power to facilitate internet access for ADAI Circle via a collaboration with NGO Give Internet. ADAI Circle made further strides in 2023 when it connected with the Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education (RAISE) program, from MIT Open Learning. This led to a trial run of an AI-based curriculum designed by MIT experts for middle school students, known as the Responsible AI for Computational Action (RAICA) curriculum.
Hassan mentioned that bridging the AI gap in underserved communities aligns with the mission of ADAI Circle. ADAI Circle’s teachers provided detailed feedback on the RAICA curriculum, which was designed by education experts from the MIT Scheller Teacher Education Program and AI experts from the MIT Media Lab’s Personal Robots group and MIT App Inventor.
Furthermore, ADAI Circle is looking to secure more learning devices, create jobs, and establish more community hubs in the future. Despite challenges, the organization is making progressive strides in improving education and technological access in the region. Hassan emphasizes that anyone who wants to learn data science should have the opportunity to do so.
