Emerging Tech Trends

May 8th, 2026

Your weekly insights into AI technologies shaping the future. In this edition,

News
● “Just AI” to AI Governance and Privacy: Ghana’s Data-Driven Future (2025-2035)
● OPIT launches online Doctorate in AI targeting Africa’s tech leaders     
● Inside Mahama’s AI bet
● Ghana eyes Microsoft deal to drive digital jobs and AI growth
● Tech Giants Open Call to Bridge Africa’s AI Language Gap
● ATF, Google.org, launch opportunity to build Ghana's AI talent pipeline to drive National Digital Transformation


Event
● Ghana AI Summit & Awards
● Ghana AI Innovation Challenge


Opportunity
● AI governance: fundamentals


News

“Just AI” to AI Governance and Privacy: Ghana’s Data-Driven Future (2025-2035)
Ghana's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025-2035) sets out an ambitious and necessary roadmap for the country's digital future.

OPIT launches online Doctorate in AI targeting Africa’s tech leaders
The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) has announced the introduction of a fully online Professional Doctorate in Applied Artificial Intelligence, a move aimed at addressing the growing demand for advanced digital leadership across Africa’s rapidly evolving technology landscape.

Inside Mahama’s AI bet
On 7 January 2025, President John Mahama was sworn in for a second, non-consecutive term. He inherited an economy in fiscal stress and a public mood demanding answers. Within his first year, his administration produced four big economic instruments.

Ghana eyes Microsoft deal to drive digital jobs and AI growth
Ghana is pushing to secure a major digital transformation partnership with Microsoft, in a move government officials say could boost job creation, expand digital infrastructure, and position the country as a tech hub in Africa.

Tech Giants Open Call to Bridge Africa’s AI Language Gap
Four major organisations have launched LINGUA Africa, an open call for projects building language foundations for inclusive artificial intelligence in Africa, with proposals due June 15, 2026.

ATF, Google.org, launch opportunity to build Ghana's Al talent pipeline to drive National Digital Transformation
The African Technology Forum (ATF) has announced major support from Google.org to scale its ATF Al Challenge across Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.


Opportunities
AI governance: fundamentals
This online self-paced course introduces participants to the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance through five structured modules. Each module blends clear explanations of key AI concepts with practical, real-world scenarios to illustrate how AI impacts daily life, public services, and global policy.

Events
Ghana AI Summit and Awards 2026
The Ghana AI Summit & Awards 2026, organized by Knowledge Innovations in partnership with Deloitte Ghana, is a premier event focused on advancing artificial intelligence for economic transformation... Read More

Ghana AI Innovation Challenge
The AI Innovation Challenge is an action research initiative that brings together data scientists, technologists, researchers, and innovators to develop AI-powered solutions using Ghanaian datasets. It focuses on addressing local challenges, fostering collaboration, and generating practical insights that demonstrate the real-world impact of AI in Ghana. Apply Now