Meta is setting its sights on Kenya’s growing tech landscape with an ambitious plan to incorporate Kikuyu and Swahili into its AI chatbot, Llama.
The tech giant’s latest announcement comes on the heels of the 2023 Llama Impact Grants and Innovation Awards, highlighting Meta’s strategic push to enhance AI’s relevance in Kenya and beyond. This initiative aims to bridge the language gap and make AI more accessible to millions across East Africa.
Llama, launched by Meta AI in February 2023, is already a frontrunner in AI language models. Meta's move to expand its capabilities to include Swahili and Kikuyu is seen as a game-changer in localising technology.
Why it matters: Kenyan innovators are being presented with a unique opportunity to utilise AI to solve local challenges, signalling the country’s rising influence in the global tech arena. Meta’s impact grants are open until November 2024, inviting local tech enthusiasts to leverage AI for social good.
This will provide a good avenue for employment to many as Kenya seeks more opportunities for unemployed youth.
Dig deeper: Meta’s expansion plan was unveiled during the awards ceremony, with Kenyan innovators Jacaranda Health taking the spotlight as runners-up. Their digital health tool, prompts, uses SMS nudges and AI-enabled support to assist new mothers in seeking appropriate care.
The innovation is expected to become a vital resource for maternal and newborn health across Sub-Saharan Africa, demonstrating the kind of impact Meta’s Llama models can achieve when aligned with local needs.
What the government is saying: Kenya’s leadership is also embracing the AI wave. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently underscored the importance of AI in driving Africa’s economic growth. Speaking at the International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation World Conference in Nairobi, he challenged African countries to adopt AI swiftly, emphasising its potential as a critical economic catalyst.
“We cannot afford to be mere consumers of imported technology,” Gachagua stated. “Our unique challenges and resources must guide our investments in research and development, enabling us to create tailored solutions that drive progress.”
He highlighted that AI is projected to contribute nearly 16 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2030. For Kenya and Africa, this presents a chance not just to benefit but to actively participate in the global tech ecosystem by exporting their own innovations.
Meta’s Llama Impact programme has already seen over 800 submissions from more than 90 countries, showcasing how Llama 2 and Llama 3 are being used to address critical challenges in education, environmental conservation, and technological innovation. By incorporating local languages, Meta aims to create a more inclusive AI environment that caters to diverse needs and voices.
This move comes as tech leaders globally harness AI to revolutionise sectors like agriculture, health, trade, and education. Kenya’s push to integrate AI into key sectors is part of a broader strategy to ensure the nation is not left behind.
The addition of local languages to AI models reflects a shift towards more culturally relevant technology, aligning with the nation’s unique context and requirements.
