The two Kenyan organisations have been selected as the sole representatives from Africa that will have access to more than $20 million (Sh2.6 billion) in funding for their projects
Jacaranda Health and EIDU are among 21 organisations that will join the first Google.org Accelerator, Generative AI Cohort.
The six-month programme is aimed at supporting non-profits developing high-impact applications of generative AI.
According to Google Africa head of communications and public affairs, Dorothy Ooko, the selected organisations will focus on areas like climate, economic opportunities, health, education, and crisis response.
In addition to technical training, workshops, mentors, and pro bono support from dedicated AI coaches; Google.org is also providing more than $20 million in funding across the projects.
“Generative AI can empower social impact teams to be more productive, creative, and effective in serving their communities,” said Ooko.
In a survey conducted by Google, nearly half of non-profits believe that Generative AI can benefit their work.
However, the lack of necessary tools, awareness, training and funding to adopt Generative AI act as an impediment.
The six-month programme 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 programme are organisations 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 organisations harness the potential of this technology to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing challenges,” Ooko said.
Other beneficiaries of this programme 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.
