Future ready In a first for the Republic of the Congo, a research centre focused on AI has been launched. The African Research Centre in Artificial Intelligence (ARCAI), funded by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and partners, is located at the Denis Sassou Nguesso University in Kintele, Brazzaville. According to the ECA, the aim of the centre is to ‘provide technology education and skills to promote job creation, bridge the digital divide, enhance inclusive economic growth, and ensure Africa’s ownership of modern digital tools. It will also boost research and growth in areas such as digital policy, infrastructure, and finance’. Six research projects are planned for the current academic year, and the facility will also offer masters of science programmes in AI and data science. 8 March 2022 Image: Gallo/Getty Images