Congratulations to Our Autumn 2026 Graduates!
It is a moment of immense joy and pride as we celebrate the incredible achievements of our Autumn 2026 cohort. Each of these graduates has demonstrated remarkable dedication to pushing...
Leading Research in Data Science for Social Impact
We bridge the gap between cutting-edge data science research and real-world societal challenges, with a special focus on African language technologies.
Our Impact Areas
Research that drives meaningful change in society
🌍 Data Science for Society
Developing methods and tools that enhance decision-making capabilities while ensuring user-centered approaches to data science research.
🗣️ African Language NLP
Advancing natural language processing for African languages through innovative tools, datasets, and methodologies.
🤖 Machine Learning Research
Developing ML approaches that address real-world challenges while considering ethical and societal implications.
Recent Research Highlights
Our latest contributions to the scientific community
Our research spans multiple domains, from developing language technologies for under-resourced African languages to creating data-driven solutions for societal challenges. We publish in top-tier venues and actively contribute to open science through our datasets, models, and tools.
Open Resources & Tools
We believe in open science and making our work accessible to all
Datasets
Curated datasets for African language research and social impact studies
Software & Models
Open-source tools and pre-trained models for researchers worldwide
Documentation
Comprehensive guides and tutorials for using our resources
Featured Projects
Masakhane Translate
Machine translation platform for African languages, making communication across language barriers more accessible.
Masakhane NLP
Grassroots organization focused on advancing NLP research and applications for African languages.
COVID-19 ZA Data
Comprehensive data repository tracking COVID-19 in South Africa, supporting research and policy decisions.
Latest News
Call for Researchers: Join the DSFSI Lab for the 2027 Academic Year
Current AI development is rapidly accelerating, yet many of the world’s languages and contexts remain underrepresented in the datasets that power these systems. At the Data Science for Social Impact...
A Win for Our Collective Village: Celebrating Prof. Vukosi Marivate
Image: President Cyril Ramaphosa, Prof. Vukosi Marivate, and Phindile Baleni. Photo courtesy GCIS.
Harnessing AI for Inclusive and Sustainable Socioeconomic Development
On May 15, 2026, Prof Vukosi Marivate presented a public lecture during the DSTI Budget Vote. The talk centered on a critical reality: while South Africa leads the continent in...
Join Our Research Community
Interested in contributing to cutting-edge research that makes a difference? We welcome collaboration and new members.