Sama, a data annotation and model validation firm, has announced plans to hire and train 2,000 youth and women to work on computer visioning projects for leading Fortune 500 companies.
By retaining the workforce, Sama says it will position Kenya as an ideal investment destination for players in the global AI value chain.
According to recent research by the McKinsey Global Institute on generative AI and productivity, the AI value chain can generate value equivalent to $2.6 trillion to $4.4 trillion in global corporate profits annually.
The 2,000 new Sama employees will be trained in computer vision and data labelling services, a field that is in high demand by AI developers and Machine Learning (ML) engineers globally. They will work on various projects, including labelling images and videos for machine learning algorithms as part of upstream AI data building.
The initiative is part of Sama's mission to expand opportunities for the underserved through the digital economy in Kenya and Uganda.
Speaking during the training commissioning, Sama Vice President, Global Service Delivery Annepeace Alwala said the digital economy has emerged as a transformative force globally, and Kenya is well positioned to contribute to creating a more inclusive AI ecosystem where everyone has a chance to make a meaningful impact.
"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," Ms. Alwala said.
The first 600 participants in Nairobi have already been hired and are currently undergoing training. The remaining 1,500 participants will be hired in the coming weeks. The new cohort will join Sama's dynamic team of over 3,000 staff in Nairobi to work on computer vision AI projects for some of the leading global companies.
"The government is keen to turn Kenya into a digital economy by creating a conducive operating environment for the private sector. We congratulate Sama for their commitment to nurturing Kenyan youths on the AI Value chain. Through their latest effort of employing 2,000 Kenyan youths, they are paving the way for a brighter future where talent meets technology, creating opportunities for our nation's brightest minds," State Department of ICT and the Digital Economy Principal Secretary Eng. John Kipchumba Tanui said.
The global Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) market is estimated to be valued at more than US$ 262 billion, with African countries continuing to emerge as the next BPO growth frontiers. The BPO sector is crucial in developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems that power the automotive, retail, agricultural, and food technology sectors.
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