DAASA has expanded its digital-skills work into one of the most important areas shaping the future of work and learning: artificial intelligence. AI is no longer something distant or abstract. It already powers the apps young people use every day, from search engines and social media to the tools that will increasingly define how people study, work and build careers. Yet too many young Nigerians are meeting this technology without any guidance, missing both the opportunities it offers and the risks it carries. We believe they shouldn’t simply be users of AI. They should be among the people who understand it, question it, and use it confidently and safely.
Through this project, we introduce young people to the fundamentals of artificial intelligence in a way that is practical and easy to grasp. We explore what AI actually is, how it already shapes the platforms they rely on, and how it can be applied responsibly in study, work and everyday life. Just as importantly, we focus on the safety side, including protecting personal data when using AI tools, recognising misinformation and AI-generated content, and understanding the real limits of what these tools should be trusted to do. Our sessions are hands-on and beginner-friendly. Participants work with real AI tools, practise using them for genuine tasks, and leave with both the skills and the judgement to keep learning on their own. No prior tech background is required, only curiosity and a willingness to grow.
By bringing AI education directly to schools and communities, DAASA is helping close a gap that could otherwise widen the digital divide even further. Our goal is to make sure the next generation of Nigerians can take part in the digital economy on equal footing, not as people left behind by new technology, but as confident, capable and safety-conscious participants ready to shape how it is used. This project is one more step toward our wider vision: a Nigeria where every young person, wherever they live, has the skills and protection they need to thrive online.