Kampala, Uganda: Veteran Ugandan journalist Alan Kasujja has urged African education institutions to urgently integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their academic systems, warning that the continent risks falling behind as AI reshapes global information, security and economic landscapes.
Speaking on the Longform Journey podcast hosted by Rwandan media personality Sanny Ntayombya, Kasujja, who recently stepped down after 13 years at the BBC, said Africa must prepare its learners for an era dominated by digital intelligence, deepfakes and automated decision-making.
Kasujja expressed concern over the rapid rise of deepfakes, describing them as one of the most disruptive threats to public information. “Today’s world is dealing with deepfakes at a level we’ve never seen before. Technology can now create voices, images and videos that look real yet are completely fake,” he said. “If the public doesn’t understand this, misinformation will keep spreading.”
He argued that the only sustainable defense is education, and called on schools to teach AI as a core subject. “We need to teach AI in our schools, not as a luxury, but as a necessity. Students should know how to tell the difference between what is real and what is created by AI,” he noted.
Victoria University Praised for AI-First Curriculum
Kasujja applauded Victoria University in Kampala for taking a bold lead in integrating AI literacy across all academic programmes, regardless of discipline. “I must commend Victoria University. They are ahead of the game,” he said. “Every student there is introduced to AI skills regardless of their course. That’s exactly how modern education should work.”
He added that AI-driven training equips graduates with the digital fluency needed to thrive in a fast-changing technological world.
Kasujja described AI not just as a challenge but as Africa’s biggest economic opportunity, predicting that the continent’s next generation of billionaires will emerge from those who harness artificial intelligence for innovation.
“AI isn’t just a threat; it’s the biggest opportunity of our lifetime. If you’re not learning AI today, you’re preparing to be left behind tomorrow,” he stressed.
Kasujja said Africa must embrace innovation boldly and equip its youth with the tools necessary to compete in a world where intelligent technologies increasingly shape media, business, education and public life.
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