Karen Ferreira Meyers
Biography
Prof. Karen Ferreira-Meyers, PhD, is a distinguished Professor and Researcher at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA), specializing in Open and Distance e-Learning (ODeL), French and Comparative Literature, Teacher Education, and Artificial Intelligence in Education. With over 25 years of academic experience across Africa, Europe, and Asia, she is recognized globally for her leadership in language pedagogy, multilingualism, and AI integration in education.
A multilingual scholar fluent in French, English, Dutch/Flemish, and Portuguese, Prof. Ferreira-Meyers has collaborated with major organizations such as the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), UNESCO, and the World Bank. She has authored and edited numerous scholarly works, including Creating a Teacher Collective (Rowman & Littlefield, 2023) and Bilinguisme, plurilinguisme et francophonie (Universit? de Montr?al, 2023).
She serves on multiple editorial and scientific committees, acts as Editor-in-Chief of ESWERAJ, and has delivered keynote addresses at international conferences on AI and education, language learning, and digital pedagogy.
Research Interest
Artificial Intelligence in Education, Multilingualism and Intercultural Communication, French and Comparative Literature, Translation Studies and Language Pedagogy
Abstract
Securing minds in the age of machines: Generative AI literacy and cyber awareness at the University of Eswatini:
The rapid evolution of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) presents both unprecedented opportunities and significant cybersecurity challenges. The AI Academy at the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) plays a pioneering role in bridging this gap by promoting responsible and secure AI literacy among diverse stakeholder groups - students, educators, administrators, and policymakers. Through interactive workshops, blended learning modules, and community outreach, the Academy demystifies GenAI tools while emphasising data protection, ethical use, and digital resilience. Its programmes integrate cybersecurity principles into everyday AI practice, empowering participants to identify risks such as misinformation, data breaches, and algorithmic manipulation. By fostering critical understanding and ethical confidence, UNESWA?s AI Academy contributes to a safer digital ecosystem in Eswatini and across the Global South, where AI education and cybersecurity readiness are essential for sustainable digital transformation.
