By Donald Zimba
Lilongwe, 31 March, Mana: The Ministry of Higher Education, in collaboration with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), a UNESCO organization, has launched a groundbreaking workshop on Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML) in Zomba. The initiative is expected to advance Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in Malawi and support national development efforts.
The workshop was officially opened by Dr. Levis Eneya, Secretary for Higher Education, who emphasized the need for democratizing AI by making it accessible and affordable.
“We cannot democratize AI when equipment is scarce and inaccessible. This workshop is designed to expose participants to Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML) and bring us closer to a future where AI is everywhere,” Eneya stated.
The workshop features global AI experts, including John Shawe-Taylor, Director of the International Research Center on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI) and UNESCO Chair of AI at University College London (UCL), United Kingdom (UK).
Shawe-Taylor highlighted the importance of Machine Learning for sustainable development, stating that AI should be adaptable to local contexts rather than relying solely on traditional, high-powered computing.
“This is an opportunity for people to learn AI from the grassroots level. Machine Learning is not just for High-Tech Labs, it can be applied creatively in developing countries. AI is not a finished business, and Malawi can contribute new ideas that impact the global AI community,” Taylor said.
David Cuartielles, Co-Founder of Arduino, introduced Nicla Vision, a compact AI-powered microcontroller that will be used in the workshop.
“This tiny but powerful device has a built-in camera, microphone, and sensors that allow real-time monitoring. It can be used in industries to detect defects on conveyor belts or in agriculture to optimize irrigation,” Cuartielles explained.
He also shared success stories from previous workshops, such as a young innovator from Kenya who used AI to detect queen bees in beehives, helping beekeepers monitor hive health with sound-based analyses.
The government is exploring partnerships with UNESCO and Japan to establish an AI Sustainable Lab. All these will be promoted through the upcoming Higher Education Overarching Bill to boost research and funding for innovation.
The workshop underscores the importance of technology transfer, local innovation, and international collaboration. By scaling up such initiatives, Malawi aims to build national AI capacity, modernize its education system, and drive industrial growth through technology.
