Introduction

Nowadays, artificial intelligence is creating a wide gap between reading and its components: both functional and expressive reading. AI, a technological masterpiece, is growing at an alarming pace and gradually burying the practice of reading. In light of psychological and intellectual phenomena related to the loss of educational values—such as declining or lost academic levels, school dropouts, student mobility, and especially a dislike for expressive or ordinary reading—Africa, a continent of intellect and the cradle of the intelligentsia, faces a critical question: can it correct its weaknesses to restore the prestige of reading, the foundation of all literary and scientific knowledge?

The AI-Driven Decline: When Reading Takes a Backseat 

The future of the next generation is at risk, potentially compromised by a low interest in reading and the strong influence of artificial intelligence in African educational systems. With the advent of AI, African students move from watching television to social media, where access is widely unrestricted. Often captivated by frivolous digital content, they spend their time on social networks instead of visiting libraries. 

More time spent with androids than with books opens the door to declining academic levels and intellectual consequences

The excessive and exclusive use of social media not only replaces book consultation—an essential source of knowledge—but also reduces the time devoted to reading. This creates a chain reaction weakening essential skills, such as academic performance and school stability. Students, becoming passive consumers of content, are exposed to declining educational levels, school dropouts, and student mobility. They become consumers rather than creators, lacking reading habits and deprived culturally and intellectually of the skills necessary for intelligence and critical thinking.

Combining AI with Reading Practices: A Window to Past Intellectual Flourishing

In the era of digital education, it is crucial to link book reading with synthetic intelligence content. Engaging in multidisciplinary or pluralistic literature opens doors to deeper reflection, empathy, and a better understanding of perspectives offered by a modern, technology-dominated world. Furthermore, combining expressive, functional, and literary reading with technology fosters creativity, ambition, and invention. These are genuine opportunities for Africa’s intellectual, economic, and political growth—Africa being the cradle of the world’s intelligentsia.

Conclusion

It is essential for students and national education partners in Africa to develop engaging strategies and methodologies capable of reviving interest in reading among students, pupils, and all social-professional groups. New approaches should integrate stimulating reading programs, combine modern and classical works, and relate them to book content. Most importantly, the promotion and accessibility of youth libraries in neighbourhoods, cities, and villages, as well as online platforms supporting reading through book clubs or author meetings, will provide opportunities to discover the richness of African literature.