Global Smart Education Conference 2026: Idrissa Samb advocates for sovereign and inclusive artificial intelligence in Beijing

Speaking on behalf of the Republic of Senegal at the Global Smart Education Conference 2026 , held on August 18 at Beijing Normal University , the Minister of Employment and Vocational and Technical Training, Idrissa Samb, presented a clear roadmap for integrating emerging technologies into education. Addressing representatives from UNESCO and international academics, the Minister immediately framed the debate: " The real question today is: for what purpose, according to what rules, and for whose benefit do we want to use it ?"

For Minister Idrissa Samb and the Senegalese authorities, the strategic choice rejects any blind fascination with technology. He reiterated Dakar's position: " Artificial intelligence must contribute to a more equitable, higher-quality, and more resilient education. It must neither replace teachers, nor reproduce inequalities, nor create new dependencies ." This vision is particularly relevant in the vocational training sub-sector, where the initial assessment reveals that only 5% of institutions have adequate internet connectivity and 6% are connected to the government intranet.

To bridge these digital divides in a country where three out of four residents are under 35, Idrissa Samb noted that his department is deploying the "Smart E-Jokkoo" project in partnership with the tech giant Huawei. This initiative aligns with the 2025-2029 National Development Strategy and the New Technology Deal, aiming to build a comprehensive ecosystem that integrates reliable networks, AI-assisted learning, and support for trainers. The minister also emphasized that to date, more than 8,000 schools have accessed new digital tools, and over one hundred teachers have already been trained.

Before the international assembly, Idrissa Samb outlined the Senegalese government's actions around three fundamental requirements: social sustainability, institutional independence, and environmental responsibility. Warning against the opaque management of algorithms and the ecological footprint of servers, the minister concluded by highlighting the profound meaning of this collective commitment: " The future of education will not be sustainable simply because it is more digital. It will be sustainable if digital technology serves a human, inclusive, and sovereign project ."