Google to invest $5.8M in African AI training

Tech giant Google has pledged an extra US$5.8 million in Google.org funding to support artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity training initiatives in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa.

The company said this new investment builds on a $20 million commitment to digital skills development in Africa's burgeoning tech ecosystem.

Google said the funding will aid organizations in delivering foundational AI skills to workers, preparing them for the digital economy.

It added that the funding will educate teenagers on AI and its safe, ethical use – empowering future generations.

Furthermore, the company added that the funding will equip non-profit leaders with AI knowledge to amplify their impact and drive social change and assist the public sector in developing and utilizing AI solutions.

Google funding recipients

Key recipients of the funding include the Data Scientists Network Foundation, Nelson Mandela University, and the Raspberry Pi Foundation, each receiving grants tailored to their specific programs.

The Data Scientists Network Foundation will receive a $1.5 million grant to develop a program to train unemployed and at-risk Nigerians in foundational digital and tech skills, with the long-term objective of advancing their expertise in data and AI.

Related:Google pledges $1B for Africa's digital transformation

Nelson Mandela University, along with other universities, will join the Google.org Cybersecurity Seminars program. This initiative includes $500,000 in grant support, course content, and extensive training. The aim is to equip 200 students with practical cybersecurity skills while bolstering the digital defenses of 250 local organizations.

Raspberry Pi Foundation will facilitate the flow of $300,000 in Google funding to the Young Scientists Kenya and Data Scientists Network Foundation to roll out AI literacy education for Kenyan and Nigerian youth.

"AI could contribute $30 billion to the economy of sub-Saharan Africa. But for this to be a meaningful change, everyone needs to be included," Google's President for Europe, Middle East and Africa, Matt Brittin, said during an event to announce the investment in Nairobi, Kenya.

The new investment builds on a previous $20 million commitment from Google to digital skills development. (Source: rawpixel.com on Freepik)

 Google.org Head of Tech and Volunteering, Jen Carter, emphasized the potential for AI to fast-track social impact projects.

"We've seen how AI can help social impact organizations accelerate and scale their work. The funding announced today will help organizations create AI tools that will benefit not only communities across Africa, but across the globe," Carter reflected.

Meanwhile, Alex Okosi, MD of Google Africa, emphasized the company's long-standing commitment to the continent's digital transformation.

Related:Google pledges $25M to empower women and girls

"Ever since the opening of Google's first office in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2007, we've been a partner in Africa's economic and digital transformation.  Digital skilling and access have been a key part of that work," Okosi continued.

 "We've enabled hundreds of millions of Africans to access the Internet for the first time and empowered millions of businesses and creators with digital tools. Many of them are young, entrepreneurial and creative – ready to drive innovation and opportunity across the region," he concluded.

Google AI African strategy

Google has been making significant investments in AI innovation, particularly across the African continent.

In February 2024, it rebranded its chatbot from Bard to Gemini and launched a dedicated Gemini mobile app featuring a paid AI subscription service.

The launch followed a Google study showing a significant rise in AI interest among South Africans, with AI-related Google searches increasing by 370% in 2023.

The survey also highlighted that AI searches reached a record high last year in South Africa, growing by 650% over the past five years.

Last year at Africa Tech Festival 2023, Okosi spoke to Connecting Africa about Google's AI strategy in Africa including its AI-powered search and how local businesses can harness AI's potential.

In August 2023, the company launched a startup accelerator program for Africa aimed specifically at artificial intelligence (AI) startups looking to use AI to solve local challenges.