Mali is promoting the use of local languages in education, following the adoption of a new constitution in 2023 that recognizes 13 official languages. Although French is no longer an official language, it remains widely used, including in classrooms. To address this, the Malian government is leveraging artificial intelligence to help students learn to read and write in their native languages.
The Education Ministry has partnered with RobotsMali, an AI company that has developed over 100 stories in Bambara, the most widely spoken language in the country. These stories, written, translated, and illustrated using AI programs like ChatGPT and Leonardo, aim to provide students with reading materials in their local language. According to Mamadou Dembele of RobotsMali, the illustrated stories help students connect words with their meanings quickly.
The initiative seeks to address the scarcity of books in Malian languages, a challenge that has hindered efforts to replace French-language education with local languages since the country gained independence in 1960. Students like 13-year-old Clarisse Yasségué Togo and 17-year-old Fatoumata Sacko have welcomed the move, citing the importance of prioritizing their native language, Bambara.
The shift towards promoting local languages is also seen as part of Mali’s effort to break free from the lasting influence of its former colonial ruler, France. The relationship between the two countries has undergone significant changes in recent years, particularly after the military junta seized power in 2020 and 2021.
The use of AI in education has the potential to make a significant impact in Mali, where resources are limited. By providing students with access to reading materials in their native languages, the government hopes to improve learning outcomes and promote a sense of national identity. As Dembele noted, seeing students learn with joy is a source of pride, and the initiative is a step towards a more inclusive and diverse education system. With the support of organizations like RobotsMali, Mali is taking a significant step towards promoting linguistic diversity and breaking free from its colonial past.