The Minister of Scientific Research and Innovation, Dr. Madeleine Tchuinté, has officially launched the activities for the first edition of the Artificial Intelligence Week at MINRESI (SIA-MINRESI 2026).
Running from June 8 to 12, 2026, with technical backing from the French Embassy in Cameroon, this inaugural event centers around the theme: “Artificial Intelligence and Scientific Research.” The initiative marks a significant milestone in national efforts to modernize Cameroon’s scientific ecosystem and integrate advanced technologies into the state’s broader development goals.
This event directly stems from the Cameroonian Science Week held in France in April 2023, a milestone that revitalized scientific cooperation between the two nations. During her opening address, Dr. Tchuinté praised France’s continuous support in higher education, scientific research, and digital transformation.
Professor Stéphanie Mailles Viard, the Scientific and University Cooperation Attaché at the French Embassy, also highlighted this strong bilateral partnership, reinforcing the shared commitment to advancing technological capabilities.
A core focus of SIA-MINRESI 2026 is moving away from technological dependency to build a localized AI framework. Grounded in directives from President Paul Biya to actively integrate AI into national growth, Dr. Tchuinté challenged local researchers to shift from passive technology consumers to active creators of knowledge and value.
She emphasized the critical need to domesticate AI, stating that Cameroon requires an “AI designed by Cameroonians for Cameroonians” that addresses local realities while remaining connected to global innovation networks.
The week features extensive training and collaborative sessions led by a team of nine expert trainers from the Université Bourgogne Europe in France, participating both in person and virtually. Managed by Dr. Patrice Ele Abiama of the National Committee for Development of Technologies – CNDT, these sessions aim to equip local researchers and administrative staff with practical AI skills.
Professor Christophe Cruz from the UIT de Dijon-Université Bourgogne Europe noted that these digital shifts impact all public administrations, adding that the event aims to not only discuss AI but actively put it into practice while addressing the technical and anthropological changes brought by generative AI.
