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By Julius Mugaga Tukacungurwa/ Umoja Standard.
Kampala, Uganda: The launch of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Lab at Makerere University marked a significant milestone in Uganda’s journey towards technological innovation and global impact.
The lab, which was launched by H.E. Tiffany Karlew, the Deputy British High Commissioner in Uganda, represents a commitment to finding solutions to pressing societal issues.
According to Karlew, “Today we launch something truly groundbreaking, a project that showcases Uganda’s ambition to lead emerging technologies.”
She emphasized the significance of AI in addressing real-world problems, stating, ‘AI is often portrayed as something from science fiction, but in reality, it is already here, embedded in the fabric of our daily lives.’
The lab is focused on developing solutions to critical challenges in health, environment, and food security. Karlew highlighted the potential of AI in healthcare, noting that, A.I powered diagnostics developed here could mean factors more accurate and more accessible testing, especially for rural communities where doctors are scarce.
Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, emphasized the importance of multidisciplinary research in addressing Africa’s most pressing challenges.
He stated, ‘We are already at the forefront of AI research, leading transformative projects that demonstrate AI’s potential to improve lives.’
Nawangwe also highlighted the urgent need for Africa to produce a significant number of PhDs to combat poverty. He stated, ‘If we Africans want to move our people out of poverty, we must train 1 million PhDs in 10 years.
Dr. Joyce Nakatumba-Nabende, Senior Lecturer and Principal Investigator of the Makerere University Center for Excellence in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science (MAK-CAD), provided a historical context of the lab’s establishment.
She noted, ‘The AI Lab started out in 2011 as a pioneer for artificial intelligence research on the African continent.’
Nakatumba-Nabende emphasized the lab’s commitment to addressing real-world problems, saying, ‘We focus on doing AI for societal good across domains in health, agriculture, and the environment.’
Professor Tonny Oyana, Principal of the College of Computing and Information Sciences, articulated the college’s ambition to establish itself as a leader in computer science, data science, artificial intelligence, and sensor technology.
He noted the successful deployment of air quality monitoring sensors in 18 countries, emphasizing the college’s contribution to environmental science across Africa.
Dr. Joseph Balikuddembe, Dean of the School of Computing and Information Technology at Makerere University, highlighted the commitment to “grow and sustain competitively” by providing “solutions and technologies” that address local environmental issues.
Dr. Agnes Kiragga, from the Africa Population and Health Research Center, emphasized the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in transforming various sectors, particularly in health and population research.
“The integration of AI in our research not only enhances efficiency but also improves the quality of data analysis.” She stated.
The launch of the Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Lab at Makerere University marks a significant step towards harnessing the potential of AI to drive sustainable solutions and foster collaborative research initiatives in Africa.
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