[Video: Meet Iris - Africa's First AI-Empowered Robot Teacher, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation SA] The South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation has announced the launch of a manufacturing facility to produce AI humanoid 'IRIS' tutor devices at the Dube TradePort in Durban. CEO of BSG and Technologies, Thandoh Gumede, said the long-term goal is to deploy IRIS robotic tutors at all 23,000 schools across South Africa.
A former maths and physical science teacher herself, Gumede explains IRIS is a tutor robot designed to assist - not replace - teachers, who are overworked. IRIS devices function like AI tools promptable via keyboard input or voice commands, provide visual feedback via a display on their chests and audio feedback through speakers, and can assist with marking and analysing curriculum and learner results in all 11 of South Africa's official languages.
Deputy minister Nomalungelo Gina said the initiative could create 20,000 jobs over five years. South Africa currently has 27,000 vacant teaching posts amid record unemployment. Gumede took more than seven years of persistence, self-funding and teaching herself to code to reach this stage. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH_k3xHxU-s - nlfpmod
