Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been hailed as both a source of innovation and an emerging challenge for youth employability.
Simba AI chairman Mark Matunga said AI was reshaping industries across the globe, bringing with it both exciting opportunities and challenging disruptions.
Matunga noted that AI was revolutionizing various sectors, thereby creating opportunities for young people to get involved in exciting new fields.
He indicated that with AI-driven advancements in data analysis, machine learning and automation, new job categories that were virtually non-existent a decade ago and require specialized skills that include roles such as data analysts, machine learning engineers and AI specialists were being created.
The chairman spoke in Nakuru during the launch of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) factory in a deal between Simba AI and a data annotation and model validation solutions company, Lish AI Labs.
The initiative aims to boost AI skills, research, and development in the country.
The AI factory will leverage Lish AI Labs’ high-speed fiber optic network and data centers, providing AI computing power to students, businesses and researchers.
Simba AI, which specializes in Digital and Enterprise Software solutions has a presence in New York (United States of America) and is setting shop in Kenya, while Lish AI Labs is a local firm that offers AI and machine learning training programmes and pairs graduates with employment opportunities in the field.
Lish AI Labs, which will provide the infrastructure and computing power for the AI factory, offers a comprehensive range of services aimed at driving innovation, fostering talent, and creating positive socioeconomic impact.
Lish AI Labs provides market-driven training for young people who have gained digital skills, in alignment with the Kenya Kwanza administration’s focus on the Digital Super Highway as a driver for transformation, job creation, and growth.
Matunga indicated that the factory’s goal is also to support Kenyan startups in accessing AI capabilities and driving innovation.
He added that it had been designed to handle large-scale datasets and computational demands, enabling the creation and deployment of advanced AI models.
The Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022-2032) calls for the development of a national strategic plan as a high-level framework for identifying scientific and technological needs in AI.
The chairman observed that although there were fears that automation will displace jobs, it had the potential of unlocking new opportunities, adding that with Africa’s booming youthful population, AI could fuel innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth.
“AI will create more jobs than it will displace. The conversation should be around what jobs AI will create and whether Africans will have the skills required for those kinds of jobs. Africa’s young population and a vibrant tech ecosystem provide significant opportunities to position Africa as a leader in technological innovation,” he stated.
The factory will further offer AI as a service meaning businesses and researchers can access AI capabilities without needing to invest in their own infrastructure.
Lish AI Labs Director Mr. Dan Njiriri observed that in an age of unprecedented technological growth, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands at the vanguard, promising to reshape industries from finance to healthcare.
Njiriri said AI has gone through a multi-decade process to become a revolutionary technology, adding that in Kenya, the integration of AI signifies not just technological advancement but a transformative leap forward.
The Director pointed out that with its ranking as Africa’s fifth most AI-ready nation, as per Oxford Insights’ 2022 report, Kenya is poised to use AI in reshaping its public services and beyond.
“Yet, the journey ahead is vast, filled with opportunities to harness AI’s potential to propel the nation to new heights. Furthermore, the entrance or expansion of large technological corporations such as Microsoft, Google, IBM, Amazon highlights the unique position Kenya plays in shaping not only its but also the region’s future in AI development and adoption,” he explained
Njiriri stated that in the Agricultural sector AI-powered tools could enhance crop management, optimize fertilizer use, and bolster irrigation efficiency, thereby boosting productivity and fortifying food security in the face of climate change.
“In healthcare, AI’s role is pivotal. Imagine Kenyan hospitals utilizing AI algorithms to analyze medical data, diagnose diseases, and personalize treatments. AI in telemedicine could bridge the gap in rural healthcare accessibility, transforming patient care and medical research nationwide,” added the Director.
He went on, “AI is not a choice; it is an imperative. With a clear strategy, Kenya will harness AI’s potential while safeguarding ethical standards, security, and inclusivity. In the near future, Kenya will not be just a consumer of AI; we will be active architects of our digital future, shaping its development and driving innovation.”
Simba AI Chief Executive Officer Randy Faulkner pointed out that ethical considerations, such as data privacy, fairness, and robustness against adversarial risks, are paramount.
He noted that the transparency and clarity of AI solutions are crucial in building trust and ensuring ethical deployment.
“AI is offering a path to innovation and growth. Responsible and ethical use of AI is key to forging a future that benefits all Kenyans, making the nation a beacon of technological advancement in Africa and beyond,” the CEO observed.
Kenya is positioning itself to become Africa’s leading hub for artificial intelligence (AI) model innovation, with a vision focused on sustainable development, economic growth, and social inclusion.
This comes after the recently launched National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030), released by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy.
The strategy outlines Kenya’s ambition to adopt AI technologies and lead in model innovation and commercialization with solutions tailored to local and continental needs.
By Jane Ngugi
