To support Kenya’s cultural and linguistic needs, AI firm, G42 has begun developing an open-source large-language AI model in Swahili and English through its data infrastructure in the United States.
This effort is bolstered by collaborations with local universities and research institutes, including the Microsoft Africa Research Institute, the Microsoft AI for Good Lab, and the Mohammed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence in Abu Dhabi.
Group CEO of G42, Peng Xiao, expressed enthusiasm for the project, saying, “in partnership with Microsoft, we are excited to work with the Kenyan government to usher in a transformative era for the digital ecosystem in Kenya and the region. By establishing a green data centre and developing AI tailored to the local culture, G42 is committed to fostering sustainable technological growth. This initiative will empower the Kenyan government and communities with robust, secure cloud services and AI capabilities, providing the foundation for a thriving digital economy across the region.”
East Africa Innovation Lab and Skilling Support
The East Africa Innovation Lab, to be launched and operated by Microsoft and G42 in Nairobi, will assist startups, entrepreneurs, companies, and organizations in developing and implementing cloud and AI services. The lab will offer design sessions, rapid prototyping, and extensive skilling and mentorship programs. Additionally, the partnership will provide digital and AI skilling programs for government employees, cybersecurity training for over 2,000 people annually, and business skilling for young entrepreneurs.
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Digital Safety, Privacy, and Security
Microsoft and G42 will collaborate with the Kenyan government to establish the new East Africa cloud region as part of a “trusted data zone” adhering to global standards for digital safety, privacy, and security. This initiative supports Kenya’s “cloud-first” policy and will offer cybersecurity assistance through Microsoft’s Threat Intelligence Center (MSTIC) and Threat Analysis Center (MTAC).
