Emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), advanced data storage, and enhanced internet connectivity are not just technical marvels; they are fundamentally reshaping the landscape of scientific discovery. These powerful tools are accelerating research, fostering more inclusive collaborations, and enabling the development of solutions precisely tailored to society's most pressing challenges. Even as some remain in early stages of development, these technologies are already making science more open, creative, and socially relevant across the globe.
The International Science Council (ISC) and the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) co-hosted a strategic retreat on the impact of emerging technologies on science systems. AAS scientists gave compelling presentations that highlighted how these tools are already yielding life-changing results. AAS Grantees under the African Research Initiative for Scientific Excellence (ARISE) project and the African Postdoctoral Training Initiative (APTI) project shared inspiring examples of how they are applying cutting-edge technologies to tackle critical health, environmental, and innovation challenges across the continent.
From Tunisia, Dr Emna Harigua from the Institut Pasteur de Tunis, an AAS ARISE grantee, showcased her groundbreaking work using AI and quantum computing to revolutionize drug discovery. These advanced technologies allow researchers to process vast datasets and model drug interactions with unprecedented speed and precision, offering new hope in the fight against complex diseases.

In Senegal, another AAS ARISE grantee Dr Laty Thiam from the Institut Pasteur de Dakar is leveraging AI to power structural biology and genomic data, pioneering the development of next-generation malaria vaccines. With current vaccines offering only about 30% protection, this innovative research aims to dramatically improve efficacy by designing complementary vaccine models that are genetically informed and context-specific.

Dr Chinwe Chukwudi, an APTI grantee from the University of Nigeria, is making significant strides in researching African Trypanosomiasis. This neglected tropical disease is highly prevalent in Nigeria but remains alarmingly underreported in global health datasets, leading to misdiagnosis and inadequate treatment. Dr Chukwudi has harnessed emerging technologies to enhance diagnostics and deepen understanding of the disease’s transmission pathways. She underscored the critical importance of these new technologies in identifying novel pathogens and transmission routes, while also advocating for stronger representation of African science in global health policy.
 

Transforming Waste into Fuel and Empowering Communities
On the environmental front, Professor David Doodo-Arhin, AAS Fellow and Director of the Research and Innovation at the University of Ghana is leading an impactful initiative that converts plastic waste into fuel through pyrolysis. His team has developed locally designed systems that transform plastic collected from beaches into fuel used by coastal fisherfolk, providing both an environmental and economic solution. This project has demonstrated that plastic-derived fuel can even outperform conventional alternatives. The next phase of the project plans to integrate AI and machine learning to automate sorting and improve fuel quality, a testament to how emerging technologies can be scaled for real-world impact in underserved communities.
During the strategic retreat, participants emphasized that the true power of emerging technologies lies not just in their novelty, but in their immense potential to address Africa’s most pressing needs. A recurring theme was the call for a stronger culture of publishing in African science, technology, and innovation journals, regardless of current impact factors.