Sama to hire and train 2,000 youth with artificial intelligence (AI) skills

Nairobi,

Thursday, September 7, 2023

KNA by Nice Wambui/ Stephannie Ndunge

Sama has announced plans to hire and train 2,000 youth and women to work on computer visioning projects for leading Fortune 500 companies.

The 2,000 new Sama employees will be trained in computer vision and data labelling services, a field that is in high demand by AI developers and Machine Learning (ML) engineers globally. They will work on various projects, including labelling images and videos for machine learning algorithms as part of upstream AI data building.

Participants will also receive soft skills training on topics such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.

The company is investing in the potential of the youth and women, with an aim of bridging the unemployment gap and prospering Kenya into the AI value chain.

State Department for ICT and The Digital Economy Principal Secretary (PS) John Tanui speaking on Wednesday during the launch of the empowerment programme congratulated the Sama team for their commitment towards the growth of the Kenyan economy.

“The Kenyan government is very keen to grow the digital economy. We are looking at areas of innovation, technology. The global demographic gives us an advantage since we have the strength of the youth. We appreciate what Sama is doing to provide global opportunities for our youth,” said Tanui.

Tanui further stated that,“From the government side, we have embarked on foundational projects that will facilitate the growth of the economy. One of them is enhancing the National connectivity to ensure that every citizen across the country has a chance to access these global opportunities by adding 100,000 kilometers of fiber that is going to open most parts of our country,” said Tanui.

Speaking during the forum, Sama Vice President, Global Service Delivery Ms Annepeace Alwala said the digital economy has emerged as a transformative force globally, and Kenya is well positioned to contribute to creating a more inclusive AI ecosystem where everyone has a chance to make a meaningful impact.

The heart of Sama's mission, she said, lies in harnessing the potential of marginalised communities and providing them with the tools and skills they need to thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

By focusing on underserved youth and women in Nairobi, Sama aims to bridge the digital divide and pave the way for sustainable economic growth.

“Through this initiative, we are not only creating employment opportunities for Kenyan youths but also ensuring that Kenya plays a significant role in shaping the future of AI development. Together, we are fostering innovation, creating opportunities, and building a brighter future where Kenyan talent fuels the global AI revolution,” Ms Alwala said.

The first 600 participants in Nairobi have already been hired and are currently undergoing training. The remaining 1,500 participants will be hired in the coming weeks. The new cohort will join Sama’s dynamic team of over 3,000 staff in Nairobi to work on computer vision AI projects for some of the leading global companies.

Sama Kenya Impact Manager Liliosa Mbirimi said that through their current efforts, they will be able to generate an even more positive impact for the Kenyan people and the planet.

She further added that Samasource has provided individuals from marginalized communities with training and dignified work through the digital economy.

Courtesy; KNA