Julian Mwine's Blog

The Predominance of English in AI   Did you know that most generative AI projects predominantly focus on the English language? This dominance of English in the realm of AI research and development has inadvertently resulted in a lack of diversity, hindering AI technology's ability to understand and generate in other languages. By directing so much emphasis on English, we are inadvertently curbing the potential of AI to serve a global, diverse audience. The Importance of Linguistic Diversity in AI Expanding the scope of research and development to include multiple languages is crucial. Not only will this foster better communication across cultures, but it will also promote inclusivity and accessibility. Non-English speakers, after all, should be equally entitled to benefit from AI advancements. Diversifying AI can help bridge linguistic divides, encouraging a richer cultural exchange. Such diversity can address the unique needs and preferences of global communities, leading to the c

The journalist of the future? A ground-breaking study from the JournalismAI initiative at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) has shed light on the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and the world of news. Surveying over 100 media houses spanning 46 nations, the report offers a comprehensive look into how AI, particularly generative AI (genAI) like ChatGPT and Google Bard , is reshaping journalism. Conducted between April and July 2023, the survey revealed a promising statistic: 73% of news outlets see genAI as a transformative tool for the industry. A significant 85% of those surveyed, encompassing journalists, tech experts, and newsroom leaders, have dabbled with genAI for diverse tasks, from coding and image creation to crafting concise summaries. The allure of AI in journalism isn't just about automation. Many respondents highlighted AI's potential to liberate journalists from mundane tasks such as transcribing interviews or

Leaders of the Niger coup at a rally of coup supporters. Courtesy Anadolu Agency  In the past few years, Africa has seen a concerning rise in military coups, marking a significant departure from a period of relative democratic stability. This trend, particularly pronounced since 2020, has seen abrupt leadership changes in several nations due to military interventions. The implications of these coups for democracy, governance, and international geopolitics are profound and demand a comprehensive analysis. A Brief Overview of Recent Coups From Gabon to Niger , Burkina Faso to Sudan , and Guinea to Mali , the continent has experienced a series of coups. Historically, post-independence Africa was no stranger to military interventions. However, the early 2000s saw a decline, making the recent surge reminiscent of the instability many African nations faced in the decades following independence. Factors such as poverty, poor economic performance, and previous coups often set the stage fo

Kenyan President William Ruto addresses the media during the Africa Climate Summit. Photo: Presidential Communication Service, Government of Kenya The inaugural Africa Climate Summit , held from 4th to 6th September in Nairobi, concluded with a resounding call to action. World leaders, international organisations, and civil society converged to discuss the continent's unique position in the global fight against climate change. The summit culminated in the Nairobi Declaration, a document that will serve as Africa's negotiating stance at the upcoming COP28 summit . The three-day event, hosted by the Kenyan government and the African Union, saw participation from global figures including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and African Development Bank President Akinwumi A. Adesina. Their collective message was clear: Africa is central to the global climate solution. Africa's Unique Position Kenya's President Wil

Map of the major language families of Africa (Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons)   Natural language processing (NLP) is a rapidly evolving field, with applications ranging from chatbots to voice recognition systems. However, for a long time, the focus of NLP research has been primarily on widely spoken languages like English, leaving behind the rich linguistic diversity of Africa . There are many challenges faced by researchers in Africa's NLP landscape but there are also some promising initiatives that are working to bridge the gap. The Challenge of Limited Data One of the most significant challenges in African NLP research is the scarcity of training data for African languages . Most available data for NLP models comes from widely spoken languages, such as English, which makes it difficult to develop effective AI tools for African languages. This limited data poses a significant obstacle to progress in this field. Linguistic Diversity Adds Complexity Africa is home to a vast array