When innovation, womens empowerment and technological advancement join forces the result is profound - and that describes South Africas first artificial intelligence AI-powered robot tutor, which was launched on Tuesday 19 August 2025. Hosted by the Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Ms Nomalungelo Gina, at the Durban Royal Golf Club, the launch highlighted both the transformative potential of AI in education and the critical role of women in driving the fourth industrial revolution.
The robot named Iris was conceptualised by KwaZulu-Natal-born innovator, Ms Thando Gumede, and developed by her company BSG Technologies. It is a pioneering educational robot capable of teaching subjects across multiple levels - from grade R to tertiary education - in all 11 official South African languages. This multilingual capability positions Iris as a uniquely African solution to long-standing challenges in access, equity and inclusivity within the education sector.
IRIS leverages advanced natural language processing, emotional recognition and adaptive learning algorithms to engage students in interactive, personalised lessons. Its ability to operate in indigenous languages ensures that linguistic diversity becomes an asset - not a barrier - to learning.
