Kenya’s Jacaranda Health and EIDU are set to benefit from the Ksh 2.6 billion ($20m) Google Generative AI Accelerator Program.
The startups are among 21 organisations to join the first Google.org Accelerator: Generative AI Cohort.
“Generative AI can empower social impact teams to be more productive, creative, and effective in serving their communities,” said Dorothy Ooko, Head of Communications and Public Affairs, Google Africa.
In a survey conducted by Google, nearly half of non-profits believe that Generative AI can benefit their work.
However, lack of necessary tools, awareness, training and funding to adopt Generative AI act as an impediment.
The six-month program is aimed at supporting non-profits through technical training, workshops, mentorship and pro bono support from dedicated AI coaches in developing high-impact applications of Generative AI.
Google says the beneficiaries of the program are organizations that focus on areas like climate, economic opportunities, health, education, and crisis response.
Jacaranda Health trains and expands digital health to underserved mothers by using Natural Language Processing (NLP) while EIDU uses Generative AI for personalised tutoring services in low and middle-income countries through tailored digital learning exercises.
“We look forward to helping the chosen organizations harness the potential of this technology to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing challenges,” she added.
Other beneficiaries of this program include, Benefits Data Trust, Beyond 12, CareerVillage, Climate Policy Radar, CodePath, FullFact, IDInsinght.Inc, Justicia Lab, Materiom, mRelief, Opportunity@work, Partnership to End Addiction, Quill.org, Tabiya, Tarjimly, U.S Digital Response and World Bank.
Sally Namuye
