2025 Training - Participant Reflections
Farhan Yusuf
Health Advisor, Tanzania AI Community
Innovation and Emerging Technologies – Why reflection is important
I have always been a sci-fi nerd. My interest in science started as a kid watching Dexter’s Laboratory and many other science-fiction shows, movies etc. that expanded my imagination growing up and motivated me to pursue career in the sciences. Health was an easy option because my scientific curiosity was accompanied with empathy and the will to change lives and make a difference (as cliche as that sounds). Pharmacy ended up being my thing because of my interest and performance in Chemistry as a subject. Technology however was a different ball game because my brain was not oriented towards Maths or Physics.
Despite getting into the health sector, I was always interested in the advances taking place around us with technology. I have followed ideas like the industrial revolutions covered by the World Economic Forum and how that is affecting us as humans. I also come from the generation that literally lived through the advancement of aspects such as social media and saw first hand how technology has changed our lives. From floppy disks to external hard drives – that’s how I usually describe the journey. So, with this background it is very easy to see my leaning towards innovation and the growth of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. I often discuss with my friends that the -fi is out of the sci-fi now. We are seeing and experiencing science fiction become just science.
When I saw the call for applications for the International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA) – Managing Innovation for Impact training applying was a no-brainer. Usually when I see the word “innovation” my attention quite naturally drifts in that direction. The icing on the cake was that the training this year would be focused on the theme, “leveraging Artificial Intelligence to enhance sustainable development outcomes”. Innovation and AI covered in the same training – count me in. Of course, as I was applying, I was worried about selection because it appeared to be very competitive (knowing the limited spaces available), but I applied anyways as I do whenever I see such opportunities.
I was lucky enough to be selected, representing the Tanzania AI Community, a local organization in Tanzania with an aim to promote AI and AI-based solutions in the country, the region and Africa as a continent. As I thought about attending this training and prepared myself for it my focus was towards understanding how we can ensure innovation is adopted and scaled in countries especially for health – a question I have grappled with over the years. I was also excited about the prospects of discussing AI and how much impact it can have especially in the low- and middle-income countries. How do we make it work for Tanzania? How do we make it work for Africa? Those were my questions.
Interestingly, the shift started as I began preparing for my participation. Going through the pre-materials shared by the organizers, watching different videos on YouTube to prepare myself and understand more about AI generally, reading numerous articles online. For perspective I spent a significant amount of my time on the flight to UK watching this: https://www.youtube.com/live/jOqTg1W_F5Q. Watch it if you have the time because it presents an interesting picture of how different countries are perceiving the growth of AI and reflect over the implications for the world.
The training itself was a beautiful experience. From the amazing delivery and technical expertise of the facilitators to the many experiences of the brilliant cohort that I think was very smartly selected. From the many reflection circles where we all got an opportunity to share and learn from each other to that one empty space that was left for AI – and the thoughtfulness of it all. Being given a reflection notebook and stickers of inspirational quotes to be stuck on to the notebook. Tiny gestures that made the training feel that much more personal.
The venue provided a much-needed scenic retreat where reflections were easier to tap into. The sessions were crafted in such a way that they facilitated adult learning in a way I have only experienced in very few trainings. Activities that made us think and ponder and got us on our feet. Fireside chats that allowed us to give ideas to other participants who had their own challenges and learn from the experiences of some of the facilitators outside of the sessions. Sessions that sparked self discovery aligned with sessions that educated us more about concepts related to innovations and AI. All of this promoted a lot of team building as well. A space of vulnerability where we all connected.
What I am grateful the most for though are the many “aha” moments that I had during the training:
Before talking about adoption & scale we need to ask ourselves – do we even need innovation for a particular challenge? Do we need AI? If so, what is the best way of implementation?
There is a way for us all to technically understand some of these concepts no matter how complicated they seem. The training did that for me. And now I am constantly looking for ways to do the same for others.
If you don’t know how to scale, don’t innovate! A quote that emphasizes on thinking about scale as you begin to innovate and not as an after thought.
Honestly, I could write a few more pages about various aspects of the training (or turn this into a long series) but suffice to say that this training was a mindset shift. One that I feel many of us practicing in the development world need. If you know someone who has attended this training, track them and have conversations with them about what they have learned. And if you see an application opening soon and you genuinely want a mindset shift as well, please do apply!
