Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and the University of Nairobi (UON) topped local institutions conducting artificial intelligence (AI) research, publishing 91 and 90 research papers respectively in the 12 months to December last year.
AI technology allows computers and machines to simulate human intelligence and problem-solving tasks.
This technology has applications in many fields and industries, including medicine, manufacturing and the military.
A new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) found that the two institutions lagged far behind Kenyatta University (KU), Kenya Medical Institute and Moi University, which published 51, 36 and 35 papers respectively during the same period.
Others on the list included Dedan Kimathi University of Technology with 24 papers published, Strathmore University (19), International Livestock Research Institute (13), World Agroforestry Centre (11) and Egerton University (8).
The revelation comes as figures from the Global Systems for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) show that Kenya received $15 million (Shs1.95 billion) in AI venture capital investments last year, far outpacing the $2.9 million (Shs377.9 million) remitted to Nigeria in the same period.
According to the GSMA, the majority of AI use cases in Kenya are focused on the agriculture sector, accounting for 49% of total AI adoption, followed by climate change and energy use cases at 26% and 24% respectively.
Like other countries, Kenya is racing against time to adopt new technologies amid concerns about their impact on the human workforce, data security and more.
However, technology analysts have identified several factors which they say could hinder the smooth adoption of new-age technologies, including a paucity of data, skills shortage, inadequate technological infrastructure and a reluctant public attitude.
“A key challenge is getting the right talent who have properly studied AI and ensuring that models are properly trained so they can intelligently perform their intended tasks,” said Ken Okoro, head of commercial partnerships for the Middle East and Africa at the UK-based Raspberry Pi Foundation. Business Daily In a recent interview.
Past obstacles to AI adoption have included limited virtual storage capacity and outdated mobile technology.
