A team of young Senegalese developers, led by Mamadou Diaw Bâ, has created Coumba IA, an artificial intelligence-powered chatbot designed to break language barriers at the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. The chatbot can converse in over 80 languages, including Wolof, Peul, French, Chinese, and Japanese. This innovation aims to make it easier for participants and visitors to communicate during the event.
Coumba IA is an autonomous tool that was generated without the use of well-known public AI systems. According to Mamadou Diaw Bâ, the chatbot is an assistant that can provide information and facilitate interactions between users and platforms for purchasing or gathering information. The application also has a knowledge base related to the games, which will enable it to provide relevant information to users.
The chatbot's capabilities have been tested internally, and the results have been conclusive. Coumba IA can provide information on the sites hosting the competitions and help Senegalese people become familiar with sports disciplines that are not well-known to the general public, such as badminton. The developers plan to deploy the application throughout the country, with the help of the COJOJ, which will manage communication and promote the tool through various channels.
To ensure the chatbot's widespread use, Mamadou Diaw Bâ is calling for more support to deploy Coumba IA in all public administrations and enterprises. The direction of education and insertion of the city of Dakar has already begun to use the tool in its services. The chatbot will be launched on October 28, 2026, and will be accessible through a QR code that visitors can scan to use the tool.
Coumba IA is considered a significant innovation, and its creators believe it can serve as an interface between users and platforms for purchasing or gathering information. The chatbot's ability to converse in multiple languages will make it easier for visitors to communicate and navigate during the event. This innovation is expected to enhance the overall experience of participants and visitors at the 2026 Youth Olympics.
The 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar will feature 136 athletes representing Senegal in 23 disciplines. The event is expected to attract a large number of visitors, and the Coumba IA chatbot is designed to facilitate their experience. With its ability to converse in multiple languages, the chatbot will help break down language barriers and provide essential information to users.
The Senegalese government has emphasized the importance of successfully hosting the 2026 Youth Olympics. President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has stated that hosting the event is a national obligation. The development of Coumba IA is part of the efforts to ensure a successful and memorable experience for participants and visitors.
Key points
- * Coumba IA is an AI-powered chatbot developed to facilitate communication in over 80 languages at the 2026 Youth Olympics in Dakar. * The chatbot can converse in multiple languages, including Wolof, Peul, French, Chinese, and Japanese. * Coumba IA aims to break down language barriers and provide essential information to users during the event.
