Intel and African Research Lab Partner on AI Education Across Universities
Intel and Origin Research and Innovation Labs have signed a memorandum of understanding to expand AI education across African academic institutions, focusing on building innovation ecosystems rooted in local needs.
The partnership will provide educators and students with practical technology training through faculty enablement, curriculum integration, hands-on work, and mentorship. The organizations aim to move skills from classrooms into innovation hubs and startups that address regional challenges.
What's already happened
The two organizations have already worked with 30 universities in Kenya. They trained 65 faculty members to deliver AI content to students and equipped those instructors to train colleagues within their institutions.
A team of 15 lead facilitators received training and subsequently trained 25 technical and vocational education tutors. Intel also supported several OriginFest hackathons at universities, with 405 students participating.
Why local solutions matter
Susan Mbogo, Intel's country manager for East Africa, said the work requires collaboration across industry, education, and innovation sectors. "Through our partnership with Origin Labs, we are creating a locally based platform to help equip African talent with the skills, tools, and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in the global digital economy," she said.
Prof. Ndirangu Kioni, lead at Origin Labs, emphasized that the collaboration prioritizes African solutions over imported models disconnected from local contexts. "Together, we can build on our insight and expertise and support pathways into AI-driven careers and innovation on the continent," he said.
For educators
If you work in education, this partnership shows one approach to integrating AI into teaching and curriculum. For more on this topic, explore resources on AI for Education and consider the AI Learning Path for Teachers to develop your own capabilities.
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