A Tanzanian female UDSM student, Cherie Emmanuel, was part of an international team that emerged as first runner-up at the Raisina IE Global Student Challenge 2026, a global competition focused on exploring how artificial intelligence can support governance and public policy.
The challenge, organised by IE University in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation, brought together students from around the world to develop policy proposals on the role of AI in society.
Participants, who included Cherie Emmanuel Bampebuye, worked in international teams over several weeks through online collaboration before presenting their ideas in New Delhi in March.
The competition focused on two main themes: the use of artificial intelligence in civilian governance and its potential applications in military operations.
Cherie was assigned to the civilian-use track and joined a diverse team that included students from Sri Lanka, Norway, India, China, and Chile. Together, they developed a proposal exploring how artificial intelligence could be used to improve pediatric healthcare systems.
Their project examined how AI-driven tools could help healthcare providers deliver more efficient and accessible medical services for children, particularly in areas where medical resources are limited.
The team’s proposal earned them the position of first runner-up in the competition.
Reflecting on the achievement, the Tanzanian student described the experience as both an honour and an opportunity for personal growth.
“Competing with talented students from different parts of the world pushed me to think more critically about global challenges and to collaborate across different perspectives,” the student said.
“I feel proud of what our team achieved, but more importantly, I value the learning process; The discussions, research, and teamwork that went into developing our ideas.”
Cherie added that the experience strengthened confidence in contributing to global policy conversations and reinforced a commitment to using research and innovation to address real-world problems.
Beyond the competition results, other participants say the challenge provides an important platform for young researchers to examine the growing influence of artificial intelligence on governance and society.
With AI increasingly shaping sectors such as healthcare, education, and public services, discussions about responsible use, ethical considerations, and governance frameworks are becoming more critical.
“I believe initiatives like this help encourage future policymakers and innovators to think about how emerging technologies should be used responsibly,” She said.
According to organisers, the challenge aims to prepare the next generation of global leaders by encouraging interdisciplinary thinking and international cooperation on complex policy issues linked to rapidly advancing technologies.
The experience also highlights the importance of balancing technological innovation with accountability and human security as artificial intelligence continues to transform societies worldwide.
