Algerian children are entering the world of innovation through robotics and artificial intelligence, showcasing their talents on an international stage. This digital transformation is notably evident in Medea province, where an artificial intelligence school has been operating for four years. Students from this school have drew international awards since 2020, demonstrating their proficiency in advanced technological fields. The institution achieved third place globally in a robot competition held in Russia. The school's innovative approach was recognized with a 'diamond' medal in innovation during an event in South Korea. These achievements highlight the children's contributions to global robotics and AI development. The article visited this pioneering AI school in Medea province to witness firsthand the remarkable progress being made.
Young Minds, Global Accolades
Projects developed by Algerian children include robots for floor cleaning, smart cooking timers, remote-controlled washing machines, and solutions for agriculture and poultry farming. These diverse projects demonstrate a practical application of advanced technologies to everyday challenges. Moncef Ferhat, 14, developed a cleaning robot utilizing three distinct technologies, showcasing a sophisticated understanding of engineering and automation. Ferhat secured second place in a global competition held in South Korea for his invention, bringing international recognition to his innovative work. He stated, "My hobby and preoccupation with scientific invention have not prevented me from excelling academically, because it has become a motivator for me to continue on my path towards achieving my biggest dream of becoming a mathematics engineer. I still have many ideas and innovations that I look forward to presenting in the future."
Iyad Abdelmoumen Mechkik, 17, has been conducting research in artificial intelligence and self-learning since the age of ten, indicating an early and sustained dedication to the field. Mechkik developed projects focused on medical diagnosis and image analysis, areas with significant real-world impact. Among his creations is the AI.ChestXray project, which uses the BLIP model for generating chest X-ray reports, a key tool for medical professionals. He also developed a project employing U-Net for the segmentation of mitochondria in microscopic images, contributing to cellular biology research. Further demonstrating his advanced capabilities, Mechkik created a model combining Graph Neural Networks and Transformer techniques for drug-protein binding prediction, a complex task in pharmaceutical discovery.
Mechkik developed various AI models for retinal image analysis, eye disease diagnosis, heart and brain tumor segmentation, ECG signal analysis, breast cancer detection, kidney stone detection, and ADHD classification, showing his broad expertise in AI applications for healthcare. His work also includes the 'SOSBaby' project, designed to monitor infant crying for hearing-impaired parents, and a project aimed at detecting driver drowsiness to reduce road accidents, both addressing critical societal needs. Mechkik remarked, "I believe that true investment is not in technologies alone, but in the human being capable of employing them to serve their society. Artificial intelligence is a tool, and its true value is manifested when it helps improve people's lives, supports scientific research, and gives doctors additional means to make more accurate decisions." His commitment to both innovation and societal benefit is further evidenced by his academic pursuits, as he obtained specialized certificates from Coursera and a certificate in linear algebra from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Separately, a 12-year-old student also won second place in a competition in South Korea for an invention, further noting the widespread talent among Algerian youth.
National Strategy Fuels Innovation
Algeria is pursuing a national goal to establish modern technology in schools and build a knowledge-based economy by 2030, under the 'Digital Algeria 2030' initiative. This ambitious plan shows the nation's commitment to digital transformation. Dr. Ali Kahlane, a computer scientist and consultant specializing in IoT and AI, stated that Algeria is making knowledge and innovation the basis of its national project, recognizing their fundamental role in future development. Kahlane further explained that artificial intelligence has the potential to alleviate administrative burdens, aid in analyzing student results, detect learning difficulties early, and suggest individualized support paths. He added that AI can also provide interactive learning environments based on simulation and modern digital media, thereby enriching the educational experience. Dr. Kahlane emphasized that AI serves as a pillar of development, alongside digital infrastructure and human capital, noting its foundational importance.
As part of this strategic push, Algeria launched its National AI Strategy and established the National AI Council, demonstrating a structured approach to integrating AI into national life. The country is also gradually adopting 5G networks to enhance its digital infrastructure, providing the high-speed connectivity necessary for advanced digital services. The broader 'Digital Leap' initiative aims for equity in services and a full, sustainable digital transformation, specifically moving towards a 'zero paper' policy across various sectors. This transition is already underway, with over 60 official documents having been digitized to date, streamlining administrative processes and promoting efficiency.
Complementing these efforts, digital educational platforms are providing diverse learning resources to students. These resources include digital books designed for primary school students, supporting a technologically advanced learning environment from an early age. The strategic focus on digitalization and AI development reflects a concerted effort to integrate advanced technology into both education and national governance, preparing the next generation for a digitally driven world.
Transforming Education with AI
Anfal Thabet, supervisor of the 'Lamset Ostad' project, is training teachers on smart programming and artificial intelligence tools. This initiative specifically targets teachers from all educational levels, instructing them on the application of AI tools in their classrooms. The program equips educators with the ability to control more than 20 specialized global platforms for generating summaries, mind maps, and various educational content, significantly enhancing their teaching capabilities. Thabet stated, "Artificial intelligence will restore passion to classrooms," envisioning a more engaging and dynamic learning environment. She added that many schools lack digital capabilities and some regulations restrict phone and internet use, compelling teachers to bring personal equipment to deliver interactive lessons. "Schools today often lack digital capabilities, not to mention some regulations that prohibit the use of phones and the internet within educational institutions, which leaves the modern teacher with only one option: to break the restrictions through their own effort, forcing them to bring their personal laptop and equipment to deliver an interactive lesson that restores passion among students," Thabet noted, noting the dedication of educators in overcoming existing challenges.
Omar Ben Aouda, head of the Organization of Education Executives, explained that AI enables "personalized learning" by analyzing each student's strengths and weaknesses. He elaborated, "Today, artificial intelligence changes these rules through what is known as 'personalized learning,' where algorithms analyze each student's strengths and weaknesses and provide customized exercises that suit their own pace," ensuring a tailored educational experience. Ben Aouda advocated for fostering "school incubators" through collaborations between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and Startups, believing these partnerships are vital for nurturing young talent. He emphasized, "The Fifth Generation revolution is the fuel for creativity in children," showing the importance of advanced connectivity in fostering innovation. Ben Aouda also stressed the importance of teaching children AI ethics, preparing them to be responsible digital citizens.
Ghanem Amara, Director of Information Systems at the Ministry of National Education, stated that the ministry aims to accelerate digital transformation and broaden its digital services. Amara remarked, "These are President Tebboune's commitments to achieve a digital school by 2030," aligning the educational sector's digital goals with national leadership. He stressed that the integration of AI in education must operate within a strict legal and ethical framework, prioritizing information security and personal data protection. "The use of AI in the sector must be within a strict legal and ethical framework, taking into account sensitive priorities such as information security and the protection of personal data," Amara said, emphasizing the need for responsible deployment. Future projects include utilizing AI for "educational foresight" to identify students' inclinations and abilities for academic and professional guidance, helping shape their future paths. A centralized digital environment connects educational and administrative institutions to organize assessments and analyze student performance, a system from which over one million primary school students have already benefited. This full system also processes more than one million assessment reports and certificates annually, demonstrating its significant operational scale and impact.
Voices on the Future of AI
Children as young as five years old are participating in robotics and AI training, according to reports, indicating a widespread and early engagement with these technologies. Dr. Ali Kahlane stated that AI serves as a pillar of development, alongside digital infrastructure and human capital, reinforcing its critical role in national progress. Omar Ben Aouda suggested integrating programming and algorithmic thinking as essential subjects from primary school, and emphasized teaching children AI ethics, advocating for a foundational understanding of both the technical and moral aspects of AI. Boualem Amoura, Secretary-General of the SATEF union, stated that AI alone cannot develop student skills without an educational system built on vigilance and serious competition, noting the need for a holistic approach to education. Amoura predicted AI will develop "madly" and astonishingly fast, recommending that all educational institutions be equipped with computer labs, smart boards, and high-speed internet like 5G to keep pace with technological advancements. He believes students may soon rely on the internet for all their needs, with instant answers from AI applications, foreseeing a future where digital tools are central to learning and information access. Separately, Iyad Abdelmoumen Mechkik won the 'Aqlam Biladi' national competition in French for creative writing, demonstrating his diverse talents beyond STEM fields. Mechkik also obtained specialized certificates from Coursera and a certificate in linear algebra from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, further solidifying his academic and technical credentials.