Sama to train 2,000 youth and women for global AI projects
At least 2000 youth and women are set to get Artificial Intelligence skills from outsourcing giant Sama as the company aims to transform Kenya into a global AI powerhouse, aligning with government initiatives and unlocking opportunities for underserved communities.
Sama says it will hire and train young individuals for computer vision projects catering to Fortune 500 companies.
The initial wave of 600 participants in Nairobi has already been hired and is currently undergoing training. The remaining 1,500 individuals are slated to join in the coming weeks, forming part of Sama’s dynamic team of over 3,000 staff in Nairobi dedicated to computer vision AI projects for some of the world’s leading companies.
This initiative not only strengthens Kenya’s position as an attractive destination for AI investments but also aligns with the government’s transformative Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA), with a strong focus on Digital Economy Transformation.
According to research conducted by the McKinsey Global Institute, the global AI value chain holds the potential to generate staggering profits ranging from $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion annually.
Sama’s move to train the workforce specifically in computer vision and data labeling services addresses the rising demand from AI developers and Machine Learning (ML) engineers worldwide.
The selected individuals will contribute to labeling images and videos, a critical step in building upstream AI datasets for machine learning algorithms.
Sama seeks to expand opportunities for marginalized communities through the digital economy in Kenya and Uganda. To date, Sama has already assisted more than 65,000 individuals in lifting themselves out of poverty while establishing sustainable careers in the technology industry.
Potential of digital economy
Annepeace Alwala, Vice President of Global Service Delivery at Sama, emphasized the transformative potential of the digital economy on a global scale. She stated that Kenya is well-poised to foster an inclusive AI ecosystem where everyone can make a meaningful impact.
Sama’s core mission revolves around unlocking the potential of underserved communities by equipping them with the necessary tools and skills to thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Their focus on Nairobi’s youth and women aims to bridge the digital divide and pave the way for sustainable economic growth.
Alwala further commented, “Through this initiative, we are not only creating employment opportunities for Kenyan youths but also ensuring that Kenya plays a significant role in shaping the future of AI development. Together, we’re fostering innovation, creating opportunities, and building a brighter future where Kenyan talent fuels the global AI revolution.”
Sama’s expansion efforts are supported by a conducive business environment, and the company anticipates doubling the number of hires in the coming months, aligning with the government’s focus on creating digital jobs.
Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui, Principal Secretary of the State Department of ICT and the Digital Economy, commended Sama for its commitment to nurturing Kenyan youth in the AI value chain. He noted that Sama’s latest endeavor of employing 2,000 Kenyan youths contributes to a brighter future where talent converges with technology, creating opportunities for the nation’s brightest minds.
A recent UNCTAD report underlines the immense potential for technology-intensive industries to elevate wages and promote sustainable development in Africa. Creating a favorable environment for such industries to establish or expand supplier relationships in African countries is a crucial step toward achieving this goal.
Sama’s training program covers various areas, including computer vision, machine learning, and data annotation, and it also includes soft skills training in communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
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Sustainable employment opportunities
Sama’s impact sourcing model has a proven track record of delivering top-notch services to clients while simultaneously creating sustainable employment opportunities for underserved communities in Kenya, Uganda, and India.
The company’s dedication to social responsibility and sustainability has earned recognition from industry leaders and organizations worldwide.
For the past 15 years, Sama has been a vital player in Kenya’s data annotation market, offering world-class computer vision data labeling services. These services are delivered under the Sama data curation, annotation, and validation business lines, trusted by more than 25 percent of Fortune 50 companies to enhance their machine learning models.
As the global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market continues to grow, estimated at over US$262 billion, African countries are emerging as promising BPO frontiers. This sector plays a pivotal role in developing AI systems that power various industries, including automotive, retail, agriculture, and food technology.
Sama’s initiative marks a significant step towards not only enhancing Kenya’s standing in the global AI landscape but also providing opportunities for underserved communities to thrive in the digital economy.
