Converting indigenous tracker expertise of kalahari hunter-gatherers into an artificial intelligence software

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) awarded Botswana International University of Science and Technology a $263,282 Project Grant on September 29, 2025, under the Air Force Defense Research Sciences Program (CFDA 12.800). This five-year research initiative, with a completion date of September 28, 2030, focuses on converting indigenous tracking expertise of Kalahari hunter-gatherers into artificial intelligence software. The project will be conducted in Botswana and represents the AFRL's investment in applying traditional knowledge systems to advanced computational technologies relevant to Department of the Air Force mission capabilities.

The award supports fundamental and applied research designed to maintain U.S. technological superiority while fostering innovation in defense-related scientific domains. Through this project, the university will develop AI software that leverages the sophisticated observational and analytical skills of Kalahari indigenous trackers, potentially yielding novel applications in tracking, surveillance, or pattern recognition technologies. The research demonstrates the federal program's commitment to supporting international academic partnerships and multidisciplinary scientific exploration that combines indigenous knowledge with emerging technological capabilities.