AI Under Taliban Rule: How Roya Mahboob Is Fighting for Girls' Education

When the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 1996, young Roya Mahboob dreamt of attending school, only to have her books and television destroyed outside her home. Technology later became her lifeline, providing access to the world beyond her oppressive surroundings. As an entrepreneur and education advocate, Mahboob co-founded the Digital Citizen Fund to expand technology, STEAM education, and digital literacy for girls and women in developing nations.

The Taliban's rise to power in 2021 has imposed numerous restrictions on Afghan women, including banning education beyond sixth grade, high rates of forced and child marriage, and limited employment opportunities. The UN estimates that over 2.4 million girls have been denied secondary and higher education since the Taliban's takeover.

Despite these challenges, Mahboob has created the Afghan Dreamers Academy, an AI-enabled platform offering free education, tutoring, mentoring, and offline learning options to girls living in areas unable to access traditional schools.

Mahboob stresses that technology is not a replacement for human instruction but a means to bridge gaps and provide opportunities for remote and tumultuous regions. The curriculum, developed in consultation with teachers and schools, focuses on essential skills such as coding, social media strategy, and entrepreneurship, alongside foundational knowledge.

By empowering Afghan women through education and technology, Mahboob aims to uplift entire communities and challenge societal perceptions of women's capabilities in science and technology.