Day 2: Elevating Africa’s AI Future Through Collaboration, Innovation & Talent

Day 2: Elevating Africa’s AI Future Through Collaboration, Innovation & Talent

4th GDSAI Summit, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science
Day 2 of the 4th Global Data Science & Artificial Intelligence (GDSAI) Summit 2025, hosted by @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University, concluded with powerful conversations, cutting-edge demonstrations, and a renewed call for collaboration to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation. Building on the momentum of Day 1, the final day brought together policymakers, technologists, researchers, entrepreneurs, youth innovators and industry leaders to explore practical pathways for deploying safe, scalable, and sustainable AI across the continent. Youth Talent Forum: Empowering Africa’s Next Generation of AI Pioneers One of the day's most anticipated sessions was the Youth Talent Forum, showcasing young African innovators developing AI solutions grounded in local context and built for real-world impact. Speakers included: Caroline Gakii – Developer of an AI-powered digital telepathology microscope Wallace Milei, CEO, Keja AI Mark Mwoche, Founder &…
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The Global Data Science & AI Summit 2025: Charting the Future of Human-Centered Innovation

The Global Data Science & AI Summit 2025: Charting the Future of Human-Centered Innovation

4th GDSAI Summit, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science
The 4th Global Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GDSAI) Summit, hosted by @iLabAfrica, Strathmore University, opened its doors today to an audience of industry leaders, academics, policymakers, and innovators from across the world — united by one vision: Unlocking the Power of Big Data and AI to Shape the Future through Innovation. From the opening remarks to the final keynote, Day 1 of #GDSAI2025 was a powerful blend of intellect, imagination, and inspiration. Conversations centered on the rapid rise of AI, its transformative potential across sectors, and the growing need for ethical, inclusive, and responsible data ecosystems. Highlights from the Day A Journey from Data to Intelligence In his welcoming address, Dr. Sevilla, @iLabafrica Director - Strathmore University, reflected on the evolution of analytics to artificial intelligence: “We have always…
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GenAI’s Role in the New Wave of Banking and Financial Services

GenAI’s Role in the New Wave of Banking and Financial Services

Artificial Intelligence, Data Science
Arficial intelligence is not new – it has been a topic of research since the 1950s and has been deployed in financial services since the 1980s. But conventional AI (so called, “Predicve AI”), while powerful, is expensive and complex to deploy. As a result, it has been used in a limited number of areas in the financial services sector, such as real-time trading or estimation of loan default risk. In 2022, a new generation of AI came to public view in the form of ChatGPT. Unlike the earlier predictive AI, these “Generative AI” systems can be used directly to solve problems, without training or the need for data scientists. Generative AI can be thought of as a general tool that can be applied in a huge number of ways and…
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@iLabAfrica, Prepares 100 Students for a Data-Driven World

@iLabAfrica, Prepares 100 Students for a Data-Driven World

Data Science
Data science has evolved from being just a buzzword to a powerful force shaping our daily lives and how businesses operate. In today's world, it is the force behind the way we shop, bank, and operate businesses. Imagine a situation where financial institutions can predict when a client is about to default, or even cancel their credit card before it happens. Better yet, what if a single patient record data point could lead to a life-saving discovery? Imagine researchers using data to uncover hidden patterns, predict health outcomes, and even design breakthrough treatments. Yes, this is how far data analytics can take modern medicine. At its core, data science is the art of turning raw information into meaningful insight. Using advanced algorithms and analytical techniques, it reveals trends, uncovers patterns,…
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Transforming Numbers into Narratives

Transforming Numbers into Narratives

Data Science
‘Irrespective of the career or degree you will take, it is important to understand how to harness information from data.’-Dr. John Olukuru. (Photo : Kevin Ngumu) The global big data analytics market is experiencing rapid growth, rising from a valuation of USD 307.51 billion in 2023 to a projected USD 348.21 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 924.39 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business. As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, the demand for skilled data officers has doubled. To bridge this gap, @iLabAfrica’s Data Science department launched the 2025 Certificate in Data Analytics and Visualization (CDAV) program with its first-ever orientation, led by Dr. John Olukuru, Head of Data Science and Analytics, aimed to equip students with essential digital literacy skills while fostering engagement among…
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Breaking Boundaries: How The NMG Hackathon Winners Redefined Innovation

Breaking Boundaries: How The NMG Hackathon Winners Redefined Innovation

Data Science, The Nation Hackathon
In November, Strathmore University in collaboration with the Nation Media Group (NMG) hosted the inaugural Pre-summit hackathon ahead of the 3rd Annual Global Data and Artificial Intelligence Summit (GDSAI) to demonstrate how Artificial Intelligence can advance the creation, distribution, and consumption of media in the media industry.  It brought together media enthusiasts, scholars, and professionals from various institutions including Strathmore University, ALX Africa, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenyatta University (KU), and Ipso, among others.  Each team brought their best to the table, eager not only to claim the prize but also to demonstrate their prowess in creating new revenue streams, addressing market demands, and captivating audiences through the power of emerging technologies. Out of the 22 teams, three teams were crowned winners of the hackathon and…
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Revolutionizing African Analytics: @iLabAfrica partners with Kasi Insight

Revolutionizing African Analytics: @iLabAfrica partners with Kasi Insight

Data Science
In a pivotal move towards advancing data and analytics in Africa,  @iLabAfrica- Strathmore University has partnered strategically with Kasi Insight, a leading force in consumer and economic intelligence. The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on November 20th, 2024, embodies the beginning of a collaboration that vows to harness data for research, education, and innovation in transformative ways. Over the years Kenya has been seen as a hub of economic activity and innovation, providing fertile ground for this partnership. @iLabAfrica’s expertise in analytics, generative AI, and research on large language models (LLMs) align seamlessly with Kasi Insight’s robust data frameworks. Together, they will bridge the gap between raw data and actionable insights, benefiting students, researchers, and industries.  The collaboration seeks to foster the following:  Data-Driven Research: @iLabAfrica and Kasi…
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Innovation Flourishes  at 3rd Global Data Science and AI Summit

Innovation Flourishes  at 3rd Global Data Science and AI Summit

Artificial Intelligence, Data Science
From left to right: Satyajit Turumella - Chief Commercial Officer, Nation Media Group IT Advisory Director, Grant Thornton Advisory -East Africa, Esther Ngare - Transformation Lead - Nation Media Group and Richard Wanjoi- Manager @iLabAfrica  @iLabAfrica launched the 3rd Global Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Summit (GDSAI) on 13th November 2024, with the theme ‘Unlocking the Power of Big Data and AI to Shape the Future through Innovation’ which showcased the impact and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors, including agriculture, wildlife, media, and retail. The annual two-day event turned into a three-day one as Strathmore University’s collaboration with Nation Media Group (NMG) introduced the first media-centered Pre-Summit Hackathon exploring how AI can revolutionize revenue generation, audience engagement, and emerging technologies in the media industry.  The event brought…
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Strathmore University and Nation Media Group Forge Strategic Partnership with MOU Signing

Strathmore University and Nation Media Group Forge Strategic Partnership with MOU Signing

Artificial Intelligence, Data Science
From left: Nation Media Group’s Head of IT Mercy Kimani, Strathmore University Director of @iLabAfrica Dr. Joseph Sevilla, NMG Chief Operating Officer Monicah Ndung’u,  Head of Data Science and Analytics @iLabAfrica Strathmore University Dr. John Olukuru and  Data Scientist @iLabAfrica Strathmore University Abraham Ngetich ‘The truth is in the data’- Dr. John Olukuru In preparation for the Annual Global Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (GDSAI) Summit Strathmore University in partnership with  Nation Media Group (NMG) formalized their collaboration through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), a significant move aimed at strengthening the ties between technology and the media industry. This partnership marks a new chapter in fostering innovation, advancing educational opportunities, and creating synergies that benefit the youth in the broader media landscape.  This collaboration promises to utilize…
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Grace Otuya’s Academic Journey Across Continents

Grace Otuya’s Academic Journey Across Continents

Data Science
“Do it scared. Do it sad. Do it happy. Just do it!” These words echo the unwavering determination that has defined Grace Otuya’s academic journey. In the dynamic world of higher education, scholarships are much more than financial aid; they are gateways to personal and academic transformation. For countless students, receiving a scholarship signifies academic achievement and a chance to reshape their futures profoundly. For Grace Oyuta, the journey began with an academic trip to the Czech Republic where she was inspired by the country’s rich historical architecture and welcoming atmosphere. Drawn to this new environment, Grace embraced the opportunity and applied for a scholarship, and fortunately, she got it. This scholarship is more than a stepping stone for Grace—it represents a new chapter in her research in IT and…
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