Capacity Building: AJPEA-Mali Introduces Its Members to Artificial Intelligence
The Association of Young Water and Sanitation Professionals of Mali (AJPEA-Mali) organized an introductory training session on artificial intelligence (AI) for its members. The session was held in the SOMAPEP-SA meeting room and was facilitated by Mr. Diama Lassana Keïta, a digital technologies expert and representative of Robots Mali.
Affiliated with the African Water and Sanitation Association, AJPEA-Mali works to strengthen the skills of young professionals in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, in line with its credo: “Water and sanitation for all is possible.”
The training aimed to help participants better understand the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and identify its practical applications in their professional activities. The facilitator presented the main types of AI, including generative AI, analytical AI, research AI, and automation AI, illustrating their practical uses in content production, data analysis, and work organization.
Tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and other digital assistants were demonstrated through interactive sessions. Participants were thus made aware of the importance of formulating clear and well-contextualized prompts in order to obtain relevant responses, particularly on issues related to water and sanitation.
Special emphasis was placed on best practices for using artificial intelligence. The facilitator highlighted the need to contextualize requests, verify generated information, and adopt a critical approach to the results produced by AI tools. Discussions also addressed ethical issues and the risks associated with irresponsible use of these technologies.
The training also explored prospects for developing open-source solutions, particularly for local languages such as Bamanankan, as well as challenges related to data collection and data quality in the African context.
At the end of the session, participants praised the training as enriching, helping to strengthen their capacities and competitiveness in a context of growing digital transformation. Through this initiative, AJPEA-Mali reaffirms its commitment to innovation and skills development for young professionals, in support of a more efficient and sustainable water and sanitation sector in Mali.
