MTN Ghana has deepened its commitment to digital inclusion with an engagement session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for university students as part of this year’s DigiFest celebrations.
Speaking at the event, Senior Manager for Digital Platforms at MTN Ghana, Winnie Dzidonu, said the initiative was designed to build the capacity of students in AI and prepare them for opportunities in the global digital economy.
“With our theme AI for All, we are working with universities and their AI groups to ensure students understand where the world is going,” she explained.
“At MTN, we believe students are the future, and we want to be part of their training so they can play an active role in the future AI industry.”
The programme has drawn students from institutions including the University of Ghana, Accra Institute of Technology (AIT), Ho Technical University, and the University of Cape Coast. About 50 participants are expected, with 40 already in attendance during the session.
She noted that Ghana’s youthful population and increasing remote work opportunities position the country to benefit from investments in digital training. However, she stressed the need to intensify skills development.
“As a country, we need to continue training developers, AI engineers, and data analysts so that they can be part of the world’s ecosystem. Ghana is making headway in digitalisation and AI, but there’s still a long way to go. MTN is here to support and help bridge that gap,” she said.
Students participating in the engagement have been exposed to practical AI development training in partnership with Cortex AI. Some of their projects include “Mindful AI,” a solution that supports mental health, and “Compose,” a tool for content creation.
“These young innovators have been working on solutions over the last year and explaining them to others. Today’s session is another step in their capacity building, and MTN is proud to support them as they grow as individuals,” Dzidonu added.
A student of the Accra Institute of Technology and developer of Cashbot and Stylebot, Janet Aborvor, demonstrated how AI-powered chatbots can transform industries.
She explained that chatbots—software applications designed to simulate human conversation—are being used across multiple sectors such as customer service, finance, healthcare, travel, and hospitality.
According to her, Chatbots were specifically developed to assist with financial management, enabling features like expense tracking, proactive saving, and personalised financial advice.
“The future of AI chatbots represents the future of technology—integrated solutions that enhance productivity across sectors. With continuous advancements in AI, even more sophisticated and personalised products will emerge,” she said.
Another student from the Accra Institute of Technology, Suad Macaulay, described the training as an eye-opening opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge in AI.
“I’m really excited to be part of this program because I’m learning so much about AI. So far, I’ve learnt how MTN uses AI to process its operations, and we are also being taught how to build a chatbot. I’ve gained a great deal of knowledge already,” she said.
She added that since AI is not yet fully integrated into her school curriculum, DigiFest provides a valuable platform to bridge that gap.
“That’s why this initiative is one of the best—it gives us exposure to new technologies. I would encourage my colleagues to attend such events because they not only gain new skills but also position themselves well within the technology industry,” she noted.
The DigiFest platform, MTN’s flagship digital innovation festival, continues to drive conversations and skills development around emerging technologies, positioning Ghana’s youth to lead in the future of digital transformation.
