MULANJE, Malawi — Alex Maere survived the destruction of Cyclone Freddy when it tore through southern Malawi in 2023. His farm didn’t.

The 59-year-old saw decades of work disappear with the precious soil that the floods stripped from his small-scale farm in the foothills of Mount Mulanje.

He was used to producing a healthy 850 kilograms (1,870 pounds) of corn each season to support his three daughters and two sons. He salvaged just 8 kilograms (17 pounds) from the wreckage of Freddy.

“This is not a joke,” he said, remembering how his farm in the village of Sazola became a wasteland of sand and rocks.

Freddy jolted Maere into action. He decided he needed to change his age-old tactics if he was to survive.

He is now one of thousands of small-scale farmers in the southern African country using a generative AI chatbot designed by the non-profit Opportunity International for farming advice.

The Malawi government is backing the project, having seen the agriculture-dependent nation hit recently by a series of cyclones and an El Niño-induced drought. Malawi’s food crisis, which is largely down to the struggles of small-scale farmers, is a central issue for its national elections next week.

More than 80% of Malawi’s population of 21 million rely on agriculture for their livelihoods and the country has one of the highest poverty rates in the world, according to the World Bank.

The AI chatbot suggested Maere grow potatoes last year alongside his staple corn and cassava to adjust to his changed soil. He followed the instructions to the letter, he said, and cultivated half a soccer field’s worth of potatoes and made more than $800 in sales, turning around his and his children’s fortunes.

“I managed to pay for their school fees without worries,” he beamed.

Artificial intelligence has the potential to uplift agriculture in sub-Saharan Africa, where an estimated 33-50 million smallholder farms like Maere’s produce up to 70-80% of the food supply, according to the U.N.’s International Fund for Agricultural Development. Yet productivity in Africa — with the world’s fast-growing population to feed — is lagging behind despite vast tracts of arable land.

As AI’s use surges across the globe, so it is helping African farmers access new information to identify crop diseases, forecast drought, design fertilizers to boost yields, and even locate an affordable tractor. Private investment in agriculture-related tech in sub-Saharan Africa went from $10 million in 2014 to $600 million in 2022, according to the World Bank.

But not without challenges.

Africa has hundreds of languages for AI tools to learn. Even then, few farmers have smartphones and many can’t read. Electricity and internet service are patchy at best in rural areas, and often non-existent.

“One of the biggest challenges to sustainable AI use in African agriculture is accessibility,” said Daniel Mvalo, a Malawian technology specialist. “Many tools fail to account for language diversity, low literacy and poor digital infrastructure.”

The AI tool in Malawi tries to do that. The app is called Ulangizi, which means advisor in the country’s Chichewa language. It is WhatsApp-based and works in Chichewa and English. You can type or speak your question, and it replies with an audio or text response, said Richard Chongo, Opportunity International’s country director for Malawi.

“If you can’t read or write, you can take a picture of your crop disease and ask, ‘What is this?’ And the app will respond,” he said.

But to work in Malawi, AI still needs a human touch. For Maere’s area, that is the job of 33-year-old Patrick Napanja, a farmer support agent who brings a smartphone with the app for those who have no devices. Chongo calls him the “human in the loop.”

“I used to struggle to provide answers to some farming challenges, now I use the app,” said Napanja.

Farmer support agents like Napanja generally have around 150-200 farmers to help and try to visit them in village groups once a week. But sometimes, most of an hour-long meeting is taken up waiting for responses to load because of the area’s poor connectivity, he said. Other times, they have to trudge up nearby hills to get a signal.

They are the simple but stubborn obstacles millions face taking advantage of technology that others have at their fingertips.

For African farmers living on the edge of poverty, the impact of bad advice or AI “hallucinations” can be far more devastating than for those using it to organize their emails or put together a work presentation.

Mvalo, the tech specialist, warned that inaccurate AI advice like a chatbot misidentifying crop diseases could lead to action that ruins the crop as well as a struggling farmer’s livelihood.

“Trust in AI is fragile,” he said. “If it fails even once, many farmers may never try it again.”

The Malawian government has invested in Ulangizi and it is programmed to align with the agriculture ministry’s own official farming advice, making it more relevant for Malawians, said Webster Jassi, the agriculture extension methodologies officer at the ministry.

But he said Malawi faces challenges in getting the tool to enough communities to make an extensive difference. Those communities don’t just need smartphones, but also to be able to afford internet access.

For Malawi, the potential may be in combining AI with traditional collaboration among communities.

“Farmers who have access to the app are helping fellow farmers,” Jassi said, and that is improving productivity.

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In the rapidly evolving world of technology, Dell Technologies Inc. is embarking on a ambitious internal transformation known as Project Maverick, aimed at revamping its systems to better harness artificial intelligence. This initiative, shrouded in secrecy since its inception in 2024, seeks to modernize the company’s sprawling IT infrastructure, which has long been criticized for inefficiency and outdated processes. Internal documents reveal a comprehensive strategy that includes migrating legacy systems to cloud-based platforms and integrating AI tools to streamline operations across the board.

At the heart of Project Maverick is a push to eliminate silos within Dell’s vast organization, which employs tens of thousands worldwide. The plan outlines the creation of a unified data architecture that would allow seamless access to information, enabling faster decision-making and innovation. Executives involved in the project emphasize that this overhaul is not just about technology but about fostering a culture of agility in an era where AI is reshaping competitive dynamics.

Unveiling the Strategic Vision

According to details from Business Insider, which obtained exclusive internal documents, Project Maverick involves a multi-year timeline with phased implementations starting in early 2025. The initiative allocates significant resources to AI integration, including the adoption of machine learning models for predictive analytics in supply chain management and customer service. This move comes as Dell, a major player in hardware and services, faces pressure to keep pace with rivals like Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. and IBM Corp., who have already made strides in AI-centric infrastructures.

One key component is the overhaul of Dell’s enterprise resource planning systems, which are currently fragmented across different business units. The documents highlight plans to consolidate these into a single, AI-enhanced platform that can automate routine tasks and provide real-time insights. Insiders note that this could reduce operational costs by up to 20%, based on preliminary projections, while boosting employee productivity through intelligent automation.

Challenges in Implementation

The project isn’t without hurdles. Legacy systems, some dating back decades, pose significant migration challenges, including data compatibility issues and potential downtime risks. Business Insider reports that Dell has assembled a cross-functional team of over 500 engineers and strategists to tackle these obstacles, drawing on expertise from recent acquisitions and partnerships with AI leaders like NVIDIA Corp.

Moreover, cultural resistance within the organization could slow progress. Long-time employees accustomed to traditional workflows may need extensive training to adapt to new AI-driven tools. The plan includes robust change management programs, such as workshops and pilot programs, to ensure buy-in at all levels.

Broader Implications for the Industry

Beyond Dell’s walls, Project Maverick signals a broader trend among tech giants to internalize AI capabilities for competitive advantage. As noted in related coverage from Forbes, Dell’s focus on hybrid AI infrastructures offers choice and scalability, which could influence how other firms approach their own transformations. This initiative aligns with Dell’s public announcements at events like Dell Technologies World 2025, where the company showcased its AI Factory concept for enterprise use.

Financially, the overhaul is expected to drive long-term growth. Analysts project that successful implementation could enhance Dell’s margins in its infrastructure solutions group, which has seen a surge in AI server sales. The Next Platform highlights how Dell’s datacenter business now outpaces its PC segment, fueled by AI demand, underscoring the strategic importance of Project Maverick.

Looking Ahead to AI Dominance

As Dell pushes forward with this secretive plan, industry watchers are keenly observing its outcomes. The integration of AI into core systems could position Dell as a leader in providing end-to-end AI solutions, from hardware to software ecosystems. However, the true test will be in execution, balancing innovation with operational stability.

In conclusion, Project Maverick represents a pivotal step for Dell in navigating the AI-driven future. By addressing internal inefficiencies head-on, the company aims to emerge stronger, more adaptive, and ready to capitalize on emerging opportunities in technology’s next frontier.

When Trump administration officials met with ed-tech leaders at the White House last week to discuss the nation’s vision for artificial intelligence in American life, they repeatedly underscored one central message: Education must be at the heart of the nation’s AI strategy.

Established by President Trump’s April 2025 executive order, the White House Task Force on AI Education is chaired by director of science and technology policy Michael Kratsios, and is tasked with promoting AI literacy and proficiency among America’s youth and educators, organizing a nationwide AI challenge and forging public-private partnerships to provide AI education resources to K-12 students.

“The robots are here. Our future is no longer science fiction,” First Lady Melania Trump said in opening remarks. “But, as leaders and parents, we must manage AI’s growth responsibly. During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children: empowering but with watchful guidance.”

MAINTAINING U.S. COMPETITIVENESS

In a recording of the meeting Sept. 4, multiple speakers, including Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Special Advisor for AI and Crypto David Sacks, stressed that AI will define the future of U.S. work and international competitiveness, with explicit framing against rivals like China.

“The United States will lead the world in artificial intelligence, period, full stop, not China, not any of our other foreign adversaries, but America,” Rollins said in the recording. “We are making sure that our young people are ready to win that race.”

In order to do so, though, Sacks noted that K-12 and higher education systems must adapt quickly.

“AI is going to be the ultimate boost for our workers,” Sacks said. “And it is important that they learn from an early age how to use AI.”

The Department of Education signaled that federal funding will also shift to incentivize schools’ adoption of AI. Secretary Linda McMahon said applications that include AI-based solutions will be “more strongly considered” and could receive “bonus points” in the review process.

EMBRACING CHANGE MANAGEMENT

Several officials at the meeting urged schools and communities not to view AI as a threat, but as a tool for growth.

“It’s not one of those things to be afraid of,” McMahon said. “Let’s embrace it. Let’s develop AI-based solutions to real-world problems and cultivate an AI-informed, future-ready workforce.”

Secretary Chris Wright of the Department of Energy linked the success of AI adoption to larger infrastructure challenges.

“We will not win in AI if we don’t massively grow our electricity production,” he said. “Perhaps the killer app, the most important use of AI, is for education and to fix one of the greatest American shortcomings, our K-12 education system.”

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Workforce training and reskilling emerged as another priority, with Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer describing apprenticeships and on-the-job training as essential to preparing workers for an AI-driven economy.

“On-the-job training programs will help build the mortgage-paying jobs that AI will create while also enhancing the unique skills required to succeed in various industries,” Chavez-DeRemer said. She tied these efforts to the president’s goal of 1 million new apprenticeships nationwide.

Alex Kotran, chief executive officer of the education nonprofit aiEDU, told Government Technology that members of the task force spent a notable amount of time discussing rural schools and the importance of reaching underserved students, especially in regard to preparing rural students for the modern workforce.

PRIVATE-SECTOR COMMITMENTS

In addition to White House officials, attendees included high-level technology executives and entrepreneurs committed to expanding U.S. AI education.

During the recorded meeting, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna pledged to train 2 million American workers in AI skills over the next three years, noting that “no organization can do it alone.” Similarly, Google CEO Sundar Pichai highlighted efforts to use AI to personalize learning worldwide, envisioning a future “where every student, regardless of their background or location, can learn anything in the world in a way that works best for them.”

In a recent co-authored blog post on Microsoft’s website, the company’s Vice Chair and President Brad Smith and LinkedIn CEO Ryan Roslansky said that empowering teachers and students with modern-day AI tools, continuously developing AI skills and creating economic opportunity by connecting new skills to jobs are the top priorities in U.S. AI education.

“We believe delivering on the real promise of AI depends on how broadly it’s diffused,” they wrote. “This requires investment and innovation in AI education, training, and job certification.”

In its efforts to increase exposure to educational AI tools, Microsoft committed to providing a year’s subscription to Copilot for college students free of charge, expanding access to Microsoft AI tools in schools, $1.25 million in educator grants for teachers pioneering AI-powered learning, free LinkedIn Learning AI courses, and AI training for job seekers and certifications for community colleges.

LOOKING AHEAD

In a phone call with Government Technology last week, Kotran expressed excitement following the task force meeting, which he was invited to, stating he was heartened that education appears to be taking center stage at our nation’s capital.

“The White House Task Force meeting today, I think, represents an opening to actually harness the power of the White House,” he said. “But also the federal government to just motivate all the other actors that are part of the education system to make the change that’s going to be required.”

But, he emphasized, the private sector must support educators and school leaders in their adoption of AI, considering recent cuts to education funding. The measure of whether the task force is successful, according to Kotran, will depend on if the private sector supports states in AI tools and implementation.

“It’s not going to be enough for a school to have one elective class called ‘introduction to AI,’” Kotran said. “The only chance we have to make progress on AI readiness is for companies, the private sector, philanthropies, to put resources on the table.”