Amazon Web Services launches initiative to provide AI skills in Kenya

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has announced that its ‘AI Ready’ initiative, which is designed to equip people with essential Artificial intelligence (AI) skills to thrive in the digital economy, will be available in Kenya.

In a press release on Tuesday, Robin Njiru, AWS Regional Lead, Public Sector - Sub-Saharan Africa stated that this initiative will provide free AI skills training to Kenyans.

“Artificial intelligence (AI) is the most transformative technology of our generation. If we are going to unlock the full potential of AI to tackle Africa’s most challenging problems, we need to make AI education accessible to anyone with a desire to learn,” he said.

“Through our 'AI Ready' commitment, we are on a mission to democratize AI education and open opportunities for Kenyans in the workforce today and help the next generation benefit from the tremendous opportunity ahead.”

The ‘ AI Ready’ initiative offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers various aspects of AI such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer vision, among others.

The curriculum offers advanced courses for tech-savvy learners as well as foundational courses for executives in non-technical roles, with participants having access to a wide range of resources, including online courses, hands-on labs, and webinars, all provided free of charge by AWS.

Eng. John Tanui, the Principal Secretary (PS) State Department for ICT & Digital Economy said that AI has the potential to transform industries and revolutionize how we work and live.

“The Kenyan tech sector continues to be a stable source of growth and economic security in the country and by equipping millions of Kenyans with AI skills, we are not only preparing individuals for the jobs of tomorrow but also driving innovation and economic prosperity for the entire nation,” he remarked.

Nairobi’s AWS Development Centre hosts computing, storage, database, and other services as the company seeks to attract a data hosting market in Kenya.