Six teams from MKU enter global AI competition
Fourteen Mount Kenya University (MKU) students will this month participate in a global coding challenge organised by multinational technology firm, IBM. The 14, grouped into six teams in line with the themes of the competition, will present their artificial intelligence (AI) innovations that address sustainability challenges.
MKU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Deogratius JAGANYI says participation in the IBM competition reflects the university’s drive to help students acquire and sharpen their AI skills.
The MKU School of Computing and Informatics students stand the chance to win some fabulous prizes. IBM will award the winning team a cash prize of $50,000, while their university will receive a $30,000 grant.
The winners can also get IBM job opportunities. Additionally, they will be assigned an IBM mentor and receive Open Source support from the Linux Foundation.
“All Grand Prize winners will also receive solution implementation support from the Call for Code ecosystem,” IBM states on its web site. It adds: “In addition to prizes, participants can grow their AI, cloud, and other emerging tech skills through access to expert technical mentors, training resources, and events.”
On February 13, the global tech firm called on teams of developers and problem-solvers from across the world “to build tech solutions that leverage IBM AI technologies to address specific global sustainability problems in clear and unique ways.”
IBM describes its Call for Code as “the largest tech-for-good initiative of its kind.” The awards will be presented on December 12, 2023.
In preparation for the global AI contest, MKU, through its School of Computing and Informatics, organised a Hackathon to help it select representatives to the IBM challenge.
Prof JAGANYI reveals that the MKU Board of Directors has invested more than Ksh500,000 on equipment and the training of students on emerging AI technologies and robotics.
He adds that these skills will push MKU students to the forefront of emerging tech. “Moreover, this will enhance their employability and versatility in solving real world problems in various industries and sectors,” says Prof JAGANYI.
He adds that the MKU Hackathon showcased the incredible talent and potential that exists within the institution and the nation.
“As we embark on our journey to establish an AI research centre and participate in the IBM Call for Code Global Challenge, we are confident that MKU will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of AI in Kenya and beyond,” Prof JAGANYI further says.
