Kenyan and UK innovators have emphasised the need for strengthened collaboration in developing and scaling responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) innovations to address current development challenges.
This appeal was made during the mid-term review workshop for the UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund organised by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), The Allan Turing Institute and KICTANet on February 18, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya.
The UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund, launched in September 2024, is a groundbreaking initiative designed to advance AI capabilities while ensuring safety, ethics, and inclusive development.
The mid-term review workshop was a platform for AI innovators to assess progress, facilitate knowledge exchange, and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration.
While giving his opening remarks, Prof. Tom Ogada, ACTS Executive Director, highlighted the importance of ensuring that the projects can be scaled sustainably.
“This project is crucial for us as it aligns with our vision for the ACTS AI Institute. Thus, we are not only focused on bringing in more partners but also committed to ensuring that this work can be scaled to the next level,” he said.
This partnership between British and Kenyan institutions seeks to drive AI innovation through applied research, policy development, and the establishment of ethical frameworks. Currently, the fund supports multiple projects under two cohorts, each tackling key challenges in AI development and deployment.
“This partnership brings together governments, academia, and the private sector to develop AI solutions to address key development issues. This provides an opportunity to create scalable, sustainable, and ethical AI applications,” said Hon. John Kiarie, MP, Dagoreti South Constituency and the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on Communication, Information, and Innovation.
“The UK government is privileged to support the development of ethical and responsible AI solutions in Kenya. We are keen to explore strategies to scale and sustain these solutions,” noted Wilfred Oluoch, speaking on behalf of the British High Commission.
The workshop allowed project teams to reflect on their achievements, address emerging challenges, and refine strategies to maximise impact.
The UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund supports eight projects spanning various critical domains, including healthcare, data governance, policy development, and accessibility. These projects represent strong collaborative efforts between UK and Kenyan institutions that foster knowledge transfer and capacity building.
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