In a South African first, Iris, a robot tutor powered by artificial intelligence (AI) with the ability to speak and understand 11 of the country’s official languages, has just been unveiled, reports Cape {town} Etc.
Launched on Tuesday, 19 August, at the Durban Royal Golf Club, Iris is the brainchild of Thando Gumede, a KwaZulu-Natal-born innovator, and her company, BSG Technologies.
Designed to teach learners from Grade R through to the tertiary level, Iris reportedly forms a stepping stone to bridging the gaps in access and equity within South Africa’s education system.
Hosting the unveiling, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina described the launch as a landmark moment.
‘This is not just a robot, it is a symbol of what our nation can achieve when we invest in homegrown talent, particularly the brilliance of African women,‘ said Gina during her address.
‘We must be the architects of our own digital future. Intra-African collaboration, investment in local innovation and creating ecosystems where ideas like Iris can thrive – these are the building blocks of a self-reliant, knowledge-driven continent.’
According to Gumede, Iris uses advanced natural language processing, emotional recognition and adaptive learning technology to personalise lessons. Unlike conventional e-learning tools, the pioneering robot is programmed to adapt, listen, respond and even recognise emotions to make lessons interactive and personal.
Iris’s ability to operate in indigenous languages also ensures that linguistic diversity is transformed from a learning barrier to an educational asset. This multilingual capability thus positions Iris as a uniquely African solution to long-standing challenges within the education sector.
‘Technology is not our competitor; it is our collaborator,’ said Deputy Director-General for Curriculum Management and Delivery at the Department of Basic Education, Mbongiseni Mazibuko, addressing concerns about AI replacing teachers.
‘Iris will be part of the classroom ecosystem, supporting teachers, personalising learning and bridging gaps in resource-strapped schools.’
Mazibuko also emphasised that the robot has been designed to empower teachers rather than displace them, adding that the department plans to upskill educators to ‘confidently integrate AI tools like Iris into their teaching practice’.
Sharing her vision, Gumede said her dream is to see Iris in every South African classroom, particularly in rural areas where qualified teachers and materials are scarce. Manufacturing expansion is already underway to make the technology more affordable and widely accessible.
‘The goal is to make Iris affordable, accessible and adaptable to every learner’s needs,’ she concluded.
Attending the event, local learners and educators were provided with a demonstration of Iris in action. The response to which was more than positive.
While many students praised the robot’s responsiveness, one student expressed excitement at the prospect of multilingual teaching.
‘The launch was incredible. I’ve used AI tools before, but seeing a robot teach in Zulu and English – inspiring. Iris doesn’t replace thinking; it expands what we can do,’ the Grade 9 student said.
Before Iris can make her way from prototype to policy, however, the need for ‘strong government backing, private sector interest and a clear mission rooted in equity and innovation’ remains.
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