Dr. Tim Köhler, a senior researcher at the University of Cape Town (UCT), has been awarded a prestigious international grant to investigate whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can combat South Africa’s crippling youth unemployment crisis.
Dr. Köhler, based in the Development Policy Research Unit (DPRU) within UCT’s School of Economics, is one of only 19 researchers worldwide selected for the AI at Work program by Schmidt Sciences.
Addressing the Information Gap
With South Africa facing youth unemployment rates approaching 60% for those aged 15-24, Dr. Köhler’s project aims to bridge the information gap that hinders young jobseekers.
“They may not know which career paths are viable given their circumstances, what skills employers are actually looking for, or how to navigate both formal and informal labour markets,” Köhler explained.
The AI-Powered Solution
The project will test a generative AI-powered career guidance tool specifically designed for low-bandwidth mobile settings.
- Personalized Guidance: The tool acts as an interactive assistant, helping users tailor CVs, prepare for interviews, and identify viable career pathways.
- Local Relevance: Developed in collaboration with a Cape Town-based tech firm, the tool is designed to work within the specific context of South Africa’s labour market.
Rigorous Scientific Approach
What distinguishes this study is its use of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to rigorously evaluate the tool’s impact on job search behavior and outcomes, ensuring evidence-based findings rather than mere assumptions.
By placing South Africa at the center of this global research conversation, Dr. Köhler aims to provide critical data that can inform future policy, moving beyond the high-income country context that has dominated AI research thus far.
