On September 29, 2026, President Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye of Senegal installed the country's new Consultative Council of Young People (CCJS). In his address, he emphasized the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) as both a major opportunity and a profound disruption to the world of work, knowledge, and information. The President encouraged young Senegalese to seize the opportunities presented by AI and participate in its development.
President Faye highlighted the potential benefits of AI in reducing inequalities in access to knowledge. He cited examples of how AI could help farmers obtain information on crop diseases in their local languages and provide students in remote areas with high-level educational tools. However, he also acknowledged that AI would lead to changes in employment, with some jobs disappearing or transforming, while new professions emerge.
The President urged young Senegalese not to limit themselves to using technologies developed elsewhere. He called on them to become engineers, linguists, jurists, and entrepreneurs capable of developing solutions tailored to the country's realities and national languages. President Faye emphasized that mastering AI was not enough; it was also essential to preserve human values such as courage, responsibility, and solidarity.
According to President Faye, the youth must resist certain temptations, including renouncing action, excessive dependence on machines, and the spread of misinformation. He warned that if young people abandon their capacity for reflection, they risk becoming mere clients of others' intelligence. The President encouraged them to draw on their cultural heritage to better face the challenges of the present.
President Faye emphasized the importance of knowing one's roots to determine the direction to take in life. By installing the CCJS, he entrusted young people with a dual responsibility: to participate more in public policy-making and to prepare for a rapidly changing world. He stressed that this responsibility relies on both knowledge and innovation, as well as courage, ethics, and a sense of community.
The President's address was part of a broader effort to promote youth engagement and participation in Senegal's development. The installation of the CCJS reflects the government's commitment to harnessing the energy and creativity of young people to build a better future for the country. By emphasizing the importance of AI and cultural values, President Faye set the tone for a new era of youth-led development in Senegal.
Key to the President's message was the need for young Senegalese to be proactive in shaping their future. He encouraged them to take ownership of their role in developing the country's AI capabilities and to become leaders in their own right. By doing so, President Faye believes that Senegal's youth can help drive economic growth, promote social justice, and ensure a brighter future for all citizens.
Key points
- President Faye urges young Senegalese to master AI while preserving cultural values.
- The President emphasizes the need for young people to participate in AI development and become leaders in their own right.
- The installation of the CCJS reflects the government's commitment to youth engagement and participation in Senegal's development.
