Bolor-Erdene Battsengel is launching AI Academy Asia to train educators in Mongolia for AI education, particularly for nomadic herders. With 30% of Mongolia’s population being herders, Battsengel aims to bridge the digital divide and address inequalities in education and resources. Her initiatives focus on equipping both girls and boys with vital technological skills amid the challenges posed by AI’s impact on employment and rural livelihoods.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bolor-Erdene Battsengel, a 32-year-old former government official from Mongolia, shared her unique perspective as a member of a nomadic herder community. Battsengel, who owns 300 sheep, is dedicated to advancing digital inclusion in Mongolia, a country where 30% of its 3.5 million population are nomadic herders. She founded AI Academy Asia to train educators in providing artificial intelligence education to rural communities, set to launch on January 27.
Addressing the global digital divide, Battsengel highlighted that 2.2 billion children lack home Internet access, emphasizing the urgency to bridge this gap. In Mongolia, approximately 84% of the population utilizes the Internet, yet significant inequality persists. The International Monetary Fund’s chief indicated that AI may worsen this inequality, especially for nations lacking adequate resources. Battsengel expressed concern about how digital inequality could exacerbate existing disparities in education, income, and gender.
A member of the World Economic Forum’s Forum of Young Global Leaders, Battsengel has experienced educational challenges firsthand. After relocating to Ulaanbaatar at age 10, she excelled in her studies, completing high school by age 14. She became the youngest member of Mongolia’s government and the first Vice Minister of Digital Development, where she initiated the “E-Mongolia” program to digitize public services for residents in remote regions.
In 2021, she founded Girls Code, a nonprofit organization offering coding bootcamps to girls from underprivileged backgrounds. This initiative has empowered 120 graduates, with some advancing to prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT. With AI Academy Asia, Battsengel intends to extend these opportunities to both boys and girls, ensuring they can harness AI for their education and career prospects.
As AI transforms global labor markets, World Economic Forum projections suggest a generation of 78 million new jobs by 2030. However, Battsengel stresses that national strategies must be tailored to meet local challenges, leveraging AI’s benefits effectively. AI Academy Asia plans to equip herders with the skills to predict weather events and manage livestock health, crucial for adapting to extreme winter conditions like the recent dzud, which devastated thousands of animals and livelihoods.
Battsengel remains optimistic that knowledge of AI can significantly enhance the quality of life for those in rural communities, promoting equity and sustainability in Mongolia’s herding ecosystem.
Bolor-Erdene Battsengel is actively working toward integrating artificial intelligence into the lives of Mongolia’s nomadic herders. Her initiatives address pressing issues like educational disparity and the need for technological skills in rural areas. Amidst global concerns about AI’s potential to increase inequalities, Battsengel’s efforts emphasize equitable access to technology and education, particularly for youth from disadvantaged backgrounds. Her unique insights stem from her personal experiences and her roles within the Mongolian government and nonprofit sectors.
Bolor-Erdene Battsengel’s work encapsulates the intersection of technology and social equity in Mongolia, highlighting the importance of AI education for nomadic herders. Her initiatives, including AI Academy Asia and Girls Code, aim to empower rural communities by providing necessary skills and resources. As AI continues to reshape job markets, Battsengel’s efforts seek to ensure that the benefits of technology are shared equitably, enhancing the quality of life for underserved populations.
Original Source: edition.cnn.com
