A silent but powerful change is sweeping through Mali’s schools: children are finally learning in their mother tongue, and artificial intelligence is making it happen.
From French-Only to 13 Official Languages
Mali’s 2023 constitution ended French’s monopoly and elevated 13 local languages to official status. Yet for decades, classrooms stayed stubbornly French — until now.
RobotsMali + AI = Instant Bambara Books
The Ministry of Education teamed up with local startup RobotsMali. Using cutting-edge AI, they’ve already created more than 100 colourful storybooks entirely in Bambara — the language spoken by over 80% of Malians.
The AI writes the stories, designs the pictures, and prints the books in weeks instead of years. Suddenly, the textbook shortage that blocked local-language teaching for generations is gone.
Kids Speak, Read and Dream in Their Own Language
Students who once stumbled over French lessons now laugh, argue and learn fluently in Bambara. Teachers say children understand faster, participate more, and feel school belongs to them.
More Than Education – It’s Decolonisation 2.0
After the 2020–2021 political shift, Mali’s new leadership vowed to break the last chains of colonial influence. Teaching in indigenous languages is the boldest step yet.
By harnessing AI, Mali isn’t just fixing classrooms — it’s reclaiming its voice.
One storybook at a time, the next generation will grow up thinking, reading and leading in the languages their grandparents spoke — without ever losing touch with the modern world.
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