Tackling Social Challenges in Africa using AI and ML

I have pursued a distinguished dual career spanning academia and industry, with over a decade of experience teaching computer science and machine learning at Makerere University, Uganda. During my tenure, I co-founded the Makerere University Artificial Intelligence Research Lab, guiding it to prominence in the practical implementation and deployment of AI solutions. I have also secured multiple competitive research grants and prestigious fellowships, including engagements at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). In industry, I have contributed to leading research institutions such as Google AI in Ghana and the United Nations Global Pulse Lab in Kampala, where I applied artificial intelligence to address development challenges across sectors including agriculture, utility estimation, and broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2019, I co-founded Sunbird AI, a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing AI for social good. As Executive Director, I have led impactful initiatives in African language technology, green electrification planning, and environmental sensing, with a continued focus on leveraging AI to drive inclusive and sustainable development.