Kenya is making great strides by creating a strong and responsible AI ecosystem. This emerges from establishing the UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund, spearheaded by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS).

The program aims to guarantee that the advantages of AI reach every Kenyan by giving safety, ethics, fairness, and inclusion priority. This will create an inclusive ecosystem that meets both social and technological demands.

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Kenya is making great strides by creating a strong and responsible AI ecosystem with the launch of the UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund, led by the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS). The program aims to ensure that the advantages of AI reach every Kenyan by giving safety, ethics, fairness, and inclusion priority. This will create an inclusive ecosystem that meets both social and technological demands.

A joint initiative between Kenya and the UK, the UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund seeks to promote the ethical development and use of AI technology while fortifying cross-border collaborations. The fund will support initiatives that align with Kenya’s national AI policy and focus on important industries, including public service delivery, healthcare, agriculture, and education. 

The initiative wants Kenyans to optimise AI advancements through emphasis on ethics, equity, inclusion and safety. During the AI Challenge Fund Projects Launch on November 11, 2024, Ali Hussein, Chairperson, KICTANet Board of Trustees, said “In support of the Ministry of Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, we aim to establish an AI working group. This platform will be where evidence-based policy decisions are nurtured and AI enhancements are promoted.”

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Empowering Kenyan institutions for global AI leadership

ACTS, well-known for its contributions to development research throughout Africa, focuses on using innovative policy, science, and technology to advance sustainable development.  Ali Hussein also said, “As the project managing firm for this initiative, KICTANet is dedicated to ensuring that every project funded under this Challenge Fund reflects the shared values of transparency, equity, and accountability.”

The UK-Kenya AI Challenge Fund will help Kenyan institutions develop their AI skills and put them at the forefront of research and innovation in Africa, while also promoting ethical frameworks and enhancing AI governance. Additionally, the fund is dedicated to funding initiatives that tackle important social issues to develop AI solutions that are both ground-breaking and significant.