Bolor-Erdene Battsengel aims to bring AI education to Mongolia’s nomadic herders, addressing considerable digital, educational, and gender inequalities. Through her organization, AI Academy Asia, she plans to train teachers and promote digital inclusion. Battsengel’s prior initiatives, including E-Mongolia and Girls Code, highlight her dedication to advancing access to technology for rural communities. Her work becomes increasingly vital as AI influences job markets globally, emphasizing a need for equitable education strategies.
In a remarkable effort to bridge the digital divide, Bolor-Erdene Battsengel is introducing artificial intelligence (AI) to Mongolia’s nomadic herders. At the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, she shared her personal connection to this community, highlighting her ownership of 300 sheep. Her commitment to digital inclusion stems from her experience in a nation where 30% of its 3.5 million people are nomadic herders. Battsengel founded AI Academy Asia, which aims to educate 500 teachers to spread AI knowledge across rural areas, with its launch event set for January 27.
Battsengel pointed out that the digital gap remains a critical issue worldwide, with 2.2 billion youth lacking internet access at home. In Mongolia, approximately 84% of people are online, but Battsengel is concerned about digital inequalities compounding existing education, income, and gender disparities. She emphasizes that without intervention, these growing inequities will unjustly affect future generations in rural communities.
Recognized as a member of the World Economic Forum’s Forum of Young Global Leaders, Battsengel understands education’s transformative power. Having moved from a rural background to Ulaanbaatar at a young age, she excelled academically despite facing social challenges. At just 29, she became Mongolia’s youngest Vice Minister of Digital Development, where she initiated the “E-Mongolia” program to digitize governmental services.
In 2021, she established Girls Code, a nonprofit offering coding camps to empower young girls from nomadic and underprivileged backgrounds. This initiative has produced 120 graduates, with some students progressing to prestigious institutions, creating applications, and starting businesses. With her new venture, AI Academy Asia, she aspires to widen this impact, enabling both boys and girls to utilize AI in various fields.
As AI reshapes global employment landscapes, new job creations are expected to rise significantly due to technological advancements, especially in fields such as data and artificial intelligence. Battsengel believes that addressing local challenges through tailored education can ensure equitable distributions of AI’s benefits, a sentiment echoed in a recent report by the World Economic Forum. Her training programs equip herders with skills to predict adverse weather events.
Last winter’s severe dzud weather phenomenon devastated many herders’ cattle and livestock, underscoring the necessity for resilient agricultural practices. By leveraging AI for efficient livestock health management and weather predictions, Mongolian herders may better safeguard their livelihoods. Battsengel expresses hope that AI knowledge can significantly enhance the quality of life for these communities.
The article discusses the innovative initiatives led by Bolor-Erdene Battsengel, a notable advocate for digital inclusion in Mongolia’s rural areas. It outlines how she is leveraging her unique background and experiences to provide education on artificial intelligence to the nomadic herding communities. Given the existing disparities in digital access, education, and gender, Battsengel’s efforts are crucial in ensuring that marginalized groups can benefit from technological advancements. The narrative additionally emphasizes the potential impact of AI on the livelihoods of herders, particularly in face of adverse weather patterns.
In summary, Bolor-Erdene Battsengel is making significant strides to integrate artificial intelligence into the lives of Mongolia’s nomadic herders, aimed at promoting digital inclusion and reducing inequalities. Through initiatives like AI Academy Asia and Girls Code, she seeks to equip rural communities with essential skills for a rapidly evolving job market. By emphasizing localized education strategies, Battsengel hopes to mitigate the adverse effects of the digital divide and empower Mongolia’s marginalized populations.
Original Source: edition.cnn.com
