The Central University of Technology’s (CUT) Research Centre on Human-Technology Interaction (HTi), under the leadership of Prof. Yali Woyessa, Assistant Dean: Research, Innovation and Engagement in the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, recently hosted an inspiring seminar on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and innovation.

The event, themed “AI-Cognitive Expansion,” aimed to explore the transformative relationship between humans and technology, while raising awareness about the potential of emerging technologies to drive social and economic progress.

Leading the conversation was Dr. Natalie Raphil, an esteemed expert in Artificial Intelligence and Innovation Management, founder of Robots Can Think, and head of Women in AI for Africa. She described “cognitive expansion” as the point where technology moves beyond being a tool humans use to becoming something they think with.

She delved into the growing influence of AI in shaping smart, human-centred solutions across education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and community development. She also emphasised that AI should not be feared but rather understood and adopted responsibly, guided by ethics, inclusivity, and collaboration. “AI is not just about machines learning patterns,” she remarked. “It is humanity learning itself through a mirror made of computation. We are entering an age where consciousness becomes collaborative and where human intuition and machine precision form a new species of thought.”

She challenged higher education institutions to adapt to the realities of the AI era, asking whether universities are “teaching in yesterday’s language” or preparing students for a future shaped by intelligent technologies. She also stressed the importance of protecting research data and ensuring responsible innovation in the era of generative AI.

The seminar marked the beginning of an exciting journey for HTi, which continues to champion the ethical and human-centred integration of technology in education, research, and society. As digital transformation accelerates across industries, the centre remains committed to ensuring that innovation serves humanity, fostering creativity, connection, and co-intelligence between humans and machines.