Upcoming Block Seminar: AI in the Global South

Are you curious about how AI is shaping the world?
Do you want to make a difference in communities with fewer resources?
Are you a student at UdS looking to explore new ideas and technologies?
 
If your answer to any of these is yes, then our seminar on AI in the Global South is for you!
 
AI in the Global South:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) are rapidly transforming sectors such as education, healthcare, and agriculture across the world. While these technologies hold immense potential, their application in the Global South—which includes regions such as India, Brazil, and Nigeria, as well as marginalized communities within developed nations—faces unique challenges. These include digital inequality, limited language representation, and pressing ethical concerns that demand more inclusive and context-aware AI solutions.

This seminar is offered by Dr. Vikram Kamath Cannanure, a postdoctoral fellow at I2SC. He specializes in Human Computer Interaction and has experience deploying systems in multiple countries. His research focuses on AI for marginalized communities in the Global South.

What Will This Seminar Cover?

This seminar will explore how AI is being used for learning, healthcare, farming, and social development in resource-constrained environments. We will discuss case studies on AI-driven interventions (e.g., chatbots for education, AI-powered healthcare tools, smart farming technologies). We will also brainstorm challenges of AI adoption in low-resource settings, including biases, infrastructural gaps, and language limitation. Exploration and prototype AI designs for your final project. 

Who Should Attend?

This seminar is open to both Master’s and Bachelor’s students across all faculties at Saarland University. While no prior AI experience is required, familiarity with Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Learning Sciences, AI Ethics, or ICTD (Information and Communication Technologies and Development) will be beneficial.

We look forward to engaging with you in this exciting seminar, where we will collaboratively explore AI’s potential to drive meaningful change in resource-limited contexts. Join us and be part of the conversation on the future of AI in the Global South!

Seminar Details: 

  • 📅 Dates: September 26 – October 10, 2025

  • 📌 Sessions: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

  • 🕘 Time: 2:00 – 4:00 PM

  • More info here: Seminar: AI in the Global South 

Tentative Topics

  • 📖Day 1 (Friday, September 26, 2025) – Introduction & Digital Inequality

  • 🧠Day 2 (Monday, September 29, 2025) – LLMs for Learning

  • 🏥Day 3 (Wednesday, October 1, 2025) – AI in Healthcare

  • 🌱Day 4 (Friday, October 3, 2025) – AI in Farming

  • ⚖️Day 5 (Monday, October 6, 2025) – AI Ethics

  • 🎙️Day 6 (Wednesday, October 8, 2025) – Guest Lecture

  • 🚀Day 7 (Friday, October 10, 2025) – Participatory AI Design & Future Directions

Application/Enrollment:

  • If you are in the CS department, apply via the seminar portal with a motivation statement (deadline: TBD).

  • If you are from other departments,please use this form to register:

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