A Rwandan firm, Shaka AI Ltd, has debuted on the global Artificial Intelligence scene, providing services to an American firm on a Knowledge Process Outsourcing model.
Knowledge Process Outsourcing (KPO) is the allocation of relatively high-level tasks, to an outside organisation or a different group usually in a different geographic location.
Shaka AI is a joint venture between two Canadian firms and a Rwandan start-up. It is registered in Rwanda. The Rwandan start-up; SOLVIT Africa, specializes in providing practical internship/apprenticeship opportunities.
The firm is targeting the growing demand for AI services, especially in North America. Currently, there is shortage of skills in AI across the globe despite the growing demand.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a Forth Industrial Revolution concept that involves the replication of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. These processes include learning, reasoning and self-correction.
The global Artificial intelligence market stands at USD1.2trillion and growing.
Shaka AI has already secured its first client based in the United States and is in advanced stages in talks with several other potential clients.
The firm currently has a staff size of 7 but is projection to grow them to close to 65 by end next year and 200 in the next three years as clientele grows.
Mody-Oury Barry one of the co-founders from Canada who is also Managing Director of CPAI, a consulting firm said that their entrance into the Rwandan Market was buoyed by a growing pool of talent and skill facilitated by institutions such as the African Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Carnegie Mellon University.
"We came to Rwanda because of its business environment but also because of its growing talent pool from institutions like AIMS and CMU-Africa. I came here 3 months ago looking for partners that we could do business with as part of the Quebec Business Mission,” he said.
Chanel Gisage, the President of the firm told Saturday Times that increasingly, the demand for AI services is growing globally.
"The global demand is there and we have proof of that through our industry experience but also through the first client whom we pitched and is onboard. When we ran the interviews with our client, we appreciated the quality of the candidates and we believe as we grow our client and project list we are in the right location as far as talent is concerned but the hard work begins now as we seek more clients to expand opportunities for employment,” he said.
He said that will seek to gain an edge in the global market by constantly improving the skills of their staff to ensure they have the latest skills in Artificial Intelligence and relevance globally.
"We will be opening an AI innovation center to make sure that the local and regional market is well skilled to make the most of the opportunities available,” he said.
The firm’s model also involves working with technology partners of multi-nationals and global firms who have demand for AI services.
The firm also seeks to train Rwandans who will in turn provide the skills on-demand in the sector.
Joseph Semafara founder of SOLVIT and partner in SHAKA AI joint venture said that they seek to create support programs and environment for skills growth.
Alex Ntale, the Chief Executive of the ICT Chamber of the Private Sector Federation, said the entrance of the Knowledge Process Outsourcing business into the ecosystem goes to show that the investments made into Education and setting up of high-quality ICT training like CMU-Africa, UR- Centers of Excellence in Ai, AIMS among many was the right bet
"It also goes to validate that Rwandans have what it takes to compete on the global scale in certain fields that previously would have been for a select few countries,” he said.
editor@newtimesrwanda.com