Africa stands at a critical crossroads: the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming education, offering immense opportunities… but also posing a silent threat. Without proper oversight, the massive use of AI could produce entire zombified generations—dependent on pre-packaged answers, incapable of independent thought, and disconnected from their intellectual and creative heritage.

This policy paper sounds the alarm: Africa must act now to avoid irreversible cognitive dependence. This requires a strategic approach to AI usage, including, when necessary, temporary and targeted access limitations, in order to force the development of analytical skills, reasoning, and creativity before relying on automated systems.

Five key action levers are proposed:

1.Redesign school curriculato embed critical thinking and AI literacy from primary education onward.

2.Massively train teachersin the responsible and creative use of AI.

3.Develop African AI systemsrooted in local cultural and linguistic realities.

4.Establish a robust regulatory frameworkto safeguard the intellectual autonomy of young people.

5.Mobilize families and communitiesfor collective oversight of AI usage.

The choice is clear: either Africa shapes a youth capable of mastering AI, or it wakes up in a few decades to find a dependent generation, stripped of independent thought. Action can no longer wait.