Design an AI for your community
Start with a real problem, talk to the people who have it, write a problem statement, and decide whether AI is really the right tool.
The best AI projects start with a real problem, not with the AI. Let's find one. It's tempting to start with, let's make an A I! But the best projects start with a real problem that real people have. Then you ask whether A I can help. Sometimes it can. Sometimes a simpler solution is better.
Problems AI might help with
Here are some problems where A I might help. Spotting crop disease early, answering a clinic's common questions in Yoruba, at any time of day, sorting recyclable plastic from a photo, and reading text aloud in Hausa, for people who struggle to read.
Design steps
Designers use these steps. First, talk to the people who have the problem. Listen carefully. Second, write the problem in one sentence. Third, think of many ideas, not just one. Fourth, make a simple prototype. A sketch, a paper model, or a Scratch project. And fifth, test it with real people, and improve it.
New word: Problem statement
A problem statement is one sentence that says who has the problem, what they need, and why. For example, tomato sellers at Mile 12 market need to know tomorrow's prices, because prices change every day.
Does it need AI?
How do you know if A I is the right tool? A I could help when the task means recognising things in photos, understanding speech or writing, or predicting from lots of data. A simpler solution is often better for reminders at fixed times, simple counting or adding, or following clear rules. Remember Unit 1? Rules work well when the steps are clear.
Quick check
Quick check. What's the best first step when designing an A I for your community? Talk to the people who have the problem. They know it best. Options: Talk to the people who have the problem; Pick the most exciting AI tool; Build the app straight away; Choose a name and a logo.
Recap
Start with a problem, not the A I. Talk to the people who have it. Write a problem statement, who, what, and why. And use A I only if it really helps.
Key points
- The best AI projects start with a real problem that real people have, not with the AI.
- Design steps: talk to people, write the problem in one sentence, think of many ideas, make a simple prototype, test it and improve it.
- A problem statement says who has a problem, what they need and why. Example: tomato sellers at Mile 12 market need to know tomorrow's prices, because prices change every day.
- AI can help with recognising images, understanding language and predicting from data. Simpler solutions are often better for reminders, counting and clear rules.
Try it: Does it need AI?
Decide whether each problem really needs AI.