Our Projects
BESHTE: A Chatbot to enhance HIV testing, status awareness, and status disclosure among adolescent boys and girls and young men and women in Kenya
The researchers are implementing the above-mentioned project in both Embu and Murang’a counties. It is an 18-month project that targets adolescents and young adults from four secondary day schools from both Embu and Murang’a and two universities. The project will be developing a chatbot that will respond to HIV-related queries. Additionally, the chatbot language will be customized to slang (sheng); a language that adolescents and young adults can relate to.
Using Computational Modelling and Artificial Intelligence to Enhance HIV Testing, Status Awareness and Status Disclosure.
Innovative techniques such as computational modelling and artificial intelligence can help address the difficult socio-cultural and psycho-social conditions affecting HIV test-seeking behaviour as well as HIV status disclosure among the male and female youth in Kenya thus, reducing new HIV infections in this age cohort. This project seeks to develop innovative products using computational modelling and artificial intelligence to aid in reducing new HIV infections among the male and female youth in Kenya. This project will also empower aspiring young African researchers, in the area of computational modeling, to harness the immense computational possibilities for countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular emphasis on Kenya.
There are many young researchers from various African institutions interested in gaining data-analysis and computational modelling skills to address emerging issues in their study areas. This study will involve a diverse and multidisciplinary team in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, computational modelling and artificial intelligence. By committing to knowledge exchange, we will transfer various intuitive computational skills to young male and female researchers while tackling teething issues around HIV transmission dynamics among the Kenyan male and female youth. Thanks to the funding received from this project, the researchers have established a research laboratory called InnovativeAIHealthLab. This lab will provide support for the training of two PhD students and facilitate the development of creative computational solutions using artificial intelligence tools to address healthcare challenges in sub-Saharan Africa.
Innovative Multidisciplinary Ethically Informed Student Projects Through Critical Thinking and Design Thinking: A Case of The University of Embu.
The project aims to improve Computer Science and Information Technology student projects using ethics, critical and design thinking. The project will be carried within the university and will target students taking a second-year computing unit. The project is intended to run for a period of 12 months, beginning May 2023 to May 2024.
Why Us?
InnovativeAIHealthLab offers a unique combination of expertise in AI and computational modeling, a regional focus on sub-Saharan Africa, a commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration, a dedication to ethical practices, access to academic resources, and the potential for policy influence. By choosing our lab, funders and researchers can contribute to the advancement of knowledge, make significant advancements in healthcare, and positively impact the lives of communities in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Focus on Healthcare Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa: The InnovativeAIHealthLab recognizes the unique healthcare challenges faced in sub-Saharan Africa. By specifically targeting this region, the lab aims to develop solutions that are tailored to the local context. This regional focus ensures that research outcomes are directly relevant and impactful for the communities they serve.
- Harnessing Computational Technology: The lab’s expertise lies in harnessing the power of computational technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence, to address healthcare challenges. This focus on cutting-edge technologies allows the lab to explore innovative approaches and develop efficient solutions that can significantly improve healthcare outcomes.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Collaboration across different disciplines is highly valued within the InnovativeAIHealthLab. By actively seeking partnerships with industry, academia, and other research institutions, the lab fosters a multidisciplinary environment that encourages knowledge exchange and cross-pollination of ideas. This collaborative approach enhances the potential for groundbreaking discoveries and ensures a comprehensive understanding of healthcare challenges from various perspectives.
4. Ethical and Responsible AI Practices: The lab places a strong emphasis on ethics and responsible AI practices. This commitment ensures that the development and implementation of AI technologies are conducted with transparency, fairness, and accountability in mind. By prioritizing ethical considerations, the InnovativeAIHealthLab strives to build trust in AI systems and mitigate potential biases or harmful consequences.
5. Academic Excellence: The lab is situated within the University of Embu, Kenya, which provides a solid academic foundation and access to resources for researchers. The university’s commitment to fostering a culture of research and innovation further supports the lab’s pursuit of academic excellence. This academic environment offers opportunities for collaboration, access to diverse research expertise, and the potential for long-term impact.
6. Regional Influence and Policy Decisions: The InnovativeAIHealthLab aims to generate region-specific solutions and influence policy decisions in the field of healthcare. By actively engaging with policymakers and stakeholders, the lab seeks to ensure that research outcomes are translated into actionable policies and practices that can improve healthcare delivery and access in sub-Saharan Africa.