Qhala

Wishing all our Christian community a joyful and peaceful Easter. May this season of renewal bring hope, love, and new beginnings to you and your loved ones. Happy Easter from all of us at Qhala. #HappyEaster #EasterWishes #QhalaCares #SeasonOfRenewal

GRIT!!!! This is the word that comes to mind when I think about my last three weeks. I have been part of a dream team comprised of colleagues from Qhala Smart Africa Rwanda Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Carnegie Africa Program that has worked tirelessly and not slept a wink in so many weeks. The product - The Africa AI declaration on Artifical intelligence that birthed the establishment of the Africa AI Council. Drafting the Africa AI Declaration was nothing short of a whirlwind. It was a dance—sometimes delicate, sometimes defiant—between competing interests, each with its own vision of what Africa’s AI future should look like. The stakes were high, and so was the noise. We fought to ensure this wasn’t just another lofty document echoing global rhetoric. Every clause, every word, was a tug-of-war between vision and realism, between urgency and caution. We weren’t just building policy; we were laying the foundation for a continent’s digital destiny. There were moments when the weight of vested interests threatened to drown out our purpose. But we pushed back. This declaration had to be ours—rooted in our context, responsive to our realities, and unapologetically bold in its ambition. Then I fell ill - smack in the middle of it all in Kigali and I had to slow down and listen to my body but with a warm excitement that the beats of the drums in Africa were being beaten hard and rhythmically. And we danced in Kigali. Last week, I was back in the classroom doing what I love most - teaching. The first of a series of the AI Masterclass for policymakers was launched here in Nairobi. It was such an electrifying moment. The enthusiasm to learn was high. My key takeaway - Artificial intelligence is born out of human intelligence. Therefore, in regulating AI, we are, in essence, regulating aspects of ourselves. Yet, to regulate AI effectively, we must first understand its scope—its capabilities, its limitations, and its potential. Without this understanding, regulation risks being either misguided or ineffective. But I must celebrate the family at Qhala. The way we each come with our yarn and weave our stories into warm knitted garments…..is truly pure purpose. Salute 🫡 to you all Loice Ouma Kojo C. Apeagyei Doreen Abiero Asha Mweru Mbowa Shikoh Gitau Augustine Ashira Joshua Baru Keith Mbae Dr. Fred Mutisya Wanjiru Mburu, Ph.D Elvira Omondi - BSc, MPA, PMP® @Eunice Mwangi

Earlier in the month, I had the privilege of participating in the Qhala HealthSectorAI round-table. It was an honor to engage with subject matter experts in the health sector 🩺 — including medical doctors — and gained deep insights at the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and healthcare. Here are some key takeaways from the session: 🔍 Challenges: - The explosion of data in digital health, driven by increasingly large and complex datasets with missed opportunities - Over-reliance on AI by healthcare professionals and students, leading to complacency in critical decision-making - The urgent need for clear and effective regulation in the AI-driven health ecosystem 💡 Opportunities: - Using prompt engineering to support and enhance illness diagnosis - Integrating AI into curriculum development for medical students and practitioners - Ensuring transparency in AI-powered decision support for all stakeholders : from healthcare workers and researchers to patients - Encouraging data donation to build robust machine learning models and establishing a shared, trustworthy health data registry - Leveraging AI for public health awareness and rapid response during outbreaks - Building interoperable digital health systems aligned with FHIR-HL7 standards and SMART guidelines. I'm excited ✨ about the potential of AI to transform healthcare and look forward to continued collaboration in this space. Special shout out to Qubit Hub Shikoh Gitau Keith Mbae Dr. Fred Mutisya C. Shakwei Mbindyo Dr. Víctor Kenneth Baraza for the insightful engagements #DigitalHealth #AIinHealthcare #HealthTech #Innovation #FHIR #SMARTGuidelines

Immensely grateful to have participated in Qhala's inaugural AI Masterclass for Policymakers. The program's thoughtful design facilitated a deep dive into the ins and outs of AI policy formulation in Africa, but the highlight for me was undoubtedly the AI Governance Principles World Café. This interactive format fostered rich discussions, allowing us to collectively explore the crucial ethical and regulatory frameworks needed for responsible AI development across Africa. The AI policy simulation, expertly led by CS. Rachel Osendo LLM (Candidate) LLB PGD IPP, further solidified our understanding of the practicalities of shaping effective AI policies. A special thank you to Qhala , Apolitical , and Qubit Hub for this timely session. cc: Valerie Edna 🇰🇪 #AI #Policy #AIGovernance #Africa #Qhala #ResponsibleAI

When reflecting on the Covid-19 pandemic, our minds often conjure images of lockdowns, masks, losses, and even the quirky rush for toilet paper. Rarely, however, do we delve into the realm of data and projections, understanding their paramount role in mitigating the virus's spread. This scenario posed a distinctive and stimulating challenge for me as an illustrator — a chance to illuminate the unsung heroes in this domain and capture their efforts on my digital canvas. In my artwork, I showcased three remarkable individuals from Kenya who played pivotal roles in battling Covid-19. Professor Thumbi Mwangi, an accomplished infectious disease epidemiologist and trained veterinarian, contributed his formidable research and modeling expertise to the team. Another integral member of my "Kenyan Covid Avengers" is Dr. Loice Ombajo, a distinguished professor at the University of Nairobi and an expert in infectious diseases. Completing this trio is Dr. Shikoh Gitau, a "math geek" and computer scientist, whose dedication to technology aims to create opportunities. Dr. Gitau also serves as the CEO of Qhala. Together, they harnessed local insights and mathematical prowess to predict the disease's behavior accurately, earning the trust of the Kenyan government. Today, they stand as a vital emerging resource for Kenya and Africa through the Center for Epidemiological Modeling and Analysis (CEMA). This experience profoundly impressed upon me the significance of these unsung heroes, often overlooked, and the intricate link connecting rigorous research, data analysis, and the lives of the most vulnerable, including school-going children. In the end, this powerful connection became the focal point of my illustration.

💫 Bridging Policy and Innovation: Reflections from the AI Policy Masterclass 💫 Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the AI Policy Masterclass organized by Qhala and Apolitical, and what a day it was! 💡 It was refreshing to get re-acquainted with Turing, LLMs, neural networks, and other fascinating concepts on the foundations of AI. One of my favorite parts? The debate session—no surprise, I lean towards harnessing AI responsibly rather than overly strict regulatory control. After all, regulation is a human problem, not a technology problem. AI is a tool, and it's up to us—humans—to shape how it's used. The sessions by Dr.Wanjiru Mburu, Ph.D and CS. Rachel Osendo LLM (Candidate) LLB PGD IPP stood out, offering practical insights into the four key pillars of AI policy development: data, infrastructure, talent, markets, and governance. We also dove into what it really means to develop with AI-anchored policies, not just for the future, but for today. It was also a joy to reconnect with familiar faces: my former lecturer Dr Humphrey Njogu (still inspiring!), my good friend and fellow techy Monicah Muhoya, and meet new brilliant people like Stellar Wawira (eloquent as ever on tech policy and law), Dennis Okore (bringing clarity on NGO support and workforce readiness), Austin Owuor (MSc) (Academic and consultant in CS), and Valerie Edna 🇰🇪, who’s exploring the exciting overlap between tech and law. Grateful for the connections, the learning, and the inspiration. Here's to shaping a future where policy and innovation go hand in hand. 🚀✨ #AI #Policy #ResponsibleAI #TechForGood #Qhala #Politico #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Networking

Last week, Qhala convened close to 70 policymakers from across government, parliament, academia, health, education, and the private sector for the AI 101 Masterclass for Policymakers in Nairobi. As AI continues to reshape the world, African leaders are stepping forward to shape a future where technology reflects our values, protects our cultures, and drives inclusive development. This workshop equipped policymakers with the tools to navigate AI governance, tackle ethical risks, and harness AI’s potential in agriculture, healthcare, education, and beyond—all through an African lens. Catch the highlights from a transformative day of learning, dialogue, and vision-setting for Africa’s AI future. #AIMasterclass #AIinAfrica #PolicyInnovation #ResponsibleAI #Qhala #DigitalTransformation #AIForGovernance #Africa2030 #Agenda2063 #EthicalAI #AILeadership

Tonight at 7PM EAT – Live on News Central TV Catch Dr. Shikoh Gitau, Founder & CEO of Qhala, on the One Slot TV show on News Central TV with Felicity Ezewuike as they dive into the future of AI in Africa. Topic: EMPOWERING AFRICA WITH AI Don’t miss this important conversation on how Africa is coming together to lead in responsible, people-centered AI innovation. Watch live on YouTube via the link https://lnkd.in/dsMuQ5K7 #AfricaAI #Qhala #AIForAfrica #OneSlot #NewsCentralTV #ResponsibleAI #DigitalTransformation #AILeadership

We're Hiring: BPO Consultant Qhala is looking for a highly experienced BPO Consultant to support our mission of advancing digital transformation and creating sustainable digital job opportunities across Africa. In this role, you’ll provide strategic advisory to skill and upskill youth for remote work, drive job demand from global markets (Germany, US, Europe), and help build Kenya’s position as a top outsourcing destination. Apply now to be considered: https://bit.ly/4iNY3Cw Let’s shape the future of digital jobs in Africa—together. #QhalaCareers #NowHiring #BPOConsultant #RemoteWork #DigitalJobs #InnovationInAfrica #OutsourcingKenya #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork

We're Hiring: Business Development Executive at Qhala Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving growth and building impactful partnerships? Join Qhala as a Business Development Executive (BDE) and help us unlock new opportunities at the intersection of innovation and technology. Job Location: Nairobi, Kenya Application Deadline: April 30th, 2025 Apply now via the link: https://bit.ly/42w9Oae In this role, you’ll identify new business opportunities, build strong client relationships, and support our mission to transform African enterprises through digital innovation. Take the next step in your career with Qhala—where bold ideas become real impact. #QhalaCareers #BusinessDevelopment #TechJobs #HiringNow #InnovationInAfrica #DigitalTransformation #JoinOurTeam