Empowering Mongolia’s Nomadic Herders with AI Education

Bolor-Erdene Battsengel is introducing AI education to Mongolia’s nomadic herders through her initiative, AI Academy Asia. With plans to train teachers in rural areas, she addresses the significant digital divide. Her background as the first Vice Minister of Digital Development informs her efforts to ensure equitable access to technology and educational opportunities. Battsengel’s work aims to empower communities to improve their livelihoods using AI skills.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Bolor-Erdene Battsengel, a former Mongolian government official from a herder community, emphasized the importance of digital inclusion in a nation where about 30% of the population are nomadic herders. Battsengel, founder of AI Academy Asia, is dedicated to training teachers to provide AI education in rural Mongolia, highlighting the potential for equal education to significantly impact communities.

With over 2.2 billion children lacking home internet access globally, the digital divide poses significant challenges. In Mongolia, while approximately 84% are internet users, disparities still exist, threatening the equitable distribution of technology benefits and contributing to existing inequalities in education, income, and gender. Battsengel articulates concern that overlooking digital inequality will exacerbate social challenges for children in underserved areas.

Battsengel’s commitment to education is rooted in her personal experiences. After relocating to Ulaanbaatar at age 10, she faced challenges of bullying but excelled academically, ultimately becoming Mongolia’s first Vice Minister of Digital Development at 29. This role allowed her to implement initiatives like the ‘E-Mongolia’ to enhance access to government services.

In 2021, Battsengel established Girls Code, a nonprofit aimed at empowering girls from disadvantaged backgrounds through coding education. The initiative has benefited numerous students, some of whom have gained admission to prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT and have gone on to create applications and startups.

With AI Academy Asia, Battsengel aspires to reach a broader audience, equipping more individuals with AI skills to adapt to technological changes. As projected by the World Economic Forum, job growth in technology fields is expected to surge, necessitating the alignment of national AI strategies with specific local needs to ensure fair access to opportunities.

To address the challenges faced by herders during harsh winter conditions, such as the recent dzud phenomenon that devastated livestock, AI Academy Asia aims to teach predictive skills, enhancing livestock management. Battsengel eloquently states her hopes for herders to leverage AI knowledge to improve their quality of life.

The article discusses Bolor-Erdene Battsengel’s efforts in promoting artificial intelligence education in Mongolia, particularly among nomadic herders. With significant portions of the population lacking access to technology, there exists a pressing need to bridge the digital divide. Battsengel’s initiatives aim to address inequalities across various sectors while adapting AI to local challenges faced by rural communities. Her personal background and achievements underline her advocacy for equitable digital education.

In summary, Bolor-Erdene Battsengel is pioneering efforts to integrate AI education into Mongolia’s rural communities, particularly for nomadic herders. By developing teacher training programs and addressing the digital divide, she aims to empower individuals with the skills needed to harness AI technology for improved livelihoods. Her initiatives not only target educational inequalities but also strive to ensure that the benefits of technological advancements are shared equitably.

Original Source: edition.cnn.com