Hundreds of youths in slum areas of Kenya and other remote areas of the country are set to acquire knowledge in programming and artificial intelligence without setting foot in a classroom. The government has rolled out a mobile digital bus to train the youth in computer programming and artificial intelligence in the country.
The Digi-AI Bus, which was showcased on Thursday at the RFUEA Grounds in Nairobi, is a mobile computer lab with a sole objective of imparting knowledge in computer programming and artificial intelligence to the youth in remote areas of the country who lack the basic knowledge of how to use a computer.
This initiative has been undertaken in partnership with Kings Rugby Development Academy (KRDA), Atlas Foundation, Code Yangu, and Konza Technopolis with an objective of equipping the youth of Kenya with the necessary knowledge in computer programming to enhance their chances of finding jobs in the modern world.
During the launch of the initiative, Konza Technopolis Chief Manager of Business Development and Innovation, Josephine Ndambuki, said that it was important to train the youth of Kenya in artificial intelligence to enhance their ability to compete with other countries in the world as it becomes more prominent in the world.
“Kenya is a young country with more than 80 percent of its population aged less than 35 years,” she said.
However, Ndambuki noted that around 900,000 students complete their high school education annually, thus posing a big opportunity and challenge for the country.
She noted further that the Konza area, known as the Silicon Savannah, will be launching 1,450 digital hubs across the country, which will serve as learning and work hubs. The students will also get the opportunity to visit the Konza area and get a tour of the innovations and new technologies.
Atlas Foundation CEO Peter Scott noted that the bus will mainly target vulnerable populations like the ones found in the Kibera slum, where many young people lack access to quality education and employment opportunities.
“Digital skills today aren’t a luxury. They’re essential for jobs, business, and survival,” he said.
Code Yangu trainer Asha Makana noted how some students were still discovering a computer for the first time while in high school, thus placing them at a disadvantage.