Mali is rolling out an ambitious education initiative that uses artificial intelligence to create school-reading materials in Bambara, the country’s most widely spoken language. The project, driven by local innovators in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, has already produced more than a hundred illustrated stories designed for primary school learners.
AI tools are used to draft and translate texts into Bambara and generate culturally relevant illustrations, after which Malian teachers review the content to ensure accuracy and suitability. For many children, this marks the first time they are reading and writing in the language they speak at home, making learning more relatable and engaging.
The effort follows a national shift that formally elevated multiple local languages to official status, reinforcing Mali’s aim to strengthen cultural identity, improve literacy, and make education more inclusive for all students.