Small beginnings. Big futures.
We are a community-oriented nonprofit organisation dedicated to demystifying artificial intelligence and modern technology for young people across South Africa.
Why AI Grassroots exists
“AI Grassroots was created around a simple belief: a child’s background should not determine their access to the skills shaping the future. We want to make AI and technology understandable, useful and exciting, helping children move from using technology to creating with it.”
Across South Africa, young people are growing up alongside algorithms that shape the news they read, the media they watch, and the tools they will use in future workplaces. Yet, meaningful technology education is often restricted to well-resourced environments or taught in overly theoretical ways.
AI Grassroots is being established to bridge that gap with grounded, community-level learning. We believe that by starting with foundational principles and hands-on making, every child can develop the agency and confidence to participate in our shared technological future.
Accessible, inclusive learning
- Jargon-free learning designed for children of diverse backgrounds.
- Emphasis on free, open-source, and accessible digital tools.
- Respect for children’s privacy, safety, and emotional well-being.
- Honest conversations about the limits and ethical dilemmas of AI.
From Hanover Park, with a belief in every child’s potential.
Shadlie Kamaldien
My name is Shadlie Kamaldien. I grew up in Hanover Park on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, raised by a single mother.
Growing up there shaped how I think about opportunity. A young person’s curiosity and potential should not be limited by where they live or the resources their school can offer.
I started AI Grassroots to help children see a place for themselves in the world of technology. I want to make AI understandable, encourage questions and give young people the confidence to explore, create and solve problems in their own communities.
Our outreach prioritises learners from previously disadvantaged communities, while welcoming children from every background. Learning should start with curiosity, not with owning a laptop or already knowing how to code.
A place for every curious mind
We want young people to see technology as something they can understand and shape. That begins with a welcoming space to ask questions, try ideas and learn together.
- You do not need to know how to code to begin.
- Your questions and ideas belong here.
- Technology can help you solve problems that matter to your community.
Equipping young minds to understand, create and thrive
“AI Grassroots exists to give children across South Africa the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to understand, create and thrive with artificial intelligence and technology. Through accessible, hands-on learning, we aim to remove barriers to opportunity, encourage curiosity and responsible innovation, and empower young people to solve problems in their communities and shape their own futures.”
A South Africa where every child can shape the future
“A South Africa where every child has the opportunity to understand technology, build with it and help shape the future.”
The values that shape our work
Our values guide every lesson plan we design, every partnership we form, and every conversation we have with parents, schools, and communities.
Access
Make learning welcoming and accessible to every child, removing physical, technical, and socio-economic hurdles.
Curiosity
Encourage questions, exploration, and creativity. We treat genuine questions as the foundation of deep understanding.
Practical learning
Help children learn by making and doing. Theory becomes memorable when learners build real things with their own hands.
Responsibility
Teach thoughtful, safe and ethical technology use. Helping learners question bias, evaluate truth, and protect personal privacy.
Community
Connect learning to real challenges and opportunities. Solving practical issues that matter to South African families.
Confidence
Help learners see themselves as capable creators who can shape the future, not just recipients of other people’s tools.
Organisational Structure & Governance
AI Grassroots is currently in its founding phase, with curriculum frameworks and community partnerships being structured. Formal governance appointments, advisory board disclosures, and team profiles will be published here as registrations and formal appointments are finalised.
Want to help build this initiative?
We welcome collaboration with educators, tech professionals, community leaders, and parents who share our vision for South Africa’s children.