Microsoft Research Africa, Nairobi: Advancing AI for Africa's Future

Microsoft Research Lab – Africa, Nairobi: Advancing AI for Africa's Future

This page details the work and focus of the Microsoft Research Lab in Nairobi, Kenya, now operating as Microsoft Research Africa. The lab is dedicated to understanding, building, and deploying innovative cloud and AI technologies that address opportunities and challenges specific to Africa, while also contributing to a more productive global future of work.

Key Focus Areas and Initiatives:

• AI for Africa's Future: The lab is actively involved in research and development aimed at leveraging AI to drive innovation, equity, and impact across the African continent. This includes developing AI models and tools tailored to local needs and contexts.
• Equitable AI Development: A significant emphasis is placed on building globally equitable AI models and tools. This involves addressing disparities and ensuring that AI advancements benefit diverse populations.
• Small Language Models (SLMs): The team is developing SLMs to serve underrepresented populations, aiming to bridge the digital divide and provide access to AI technologies in local languages and contexts.
• Leveraging LLMs in Low-Data Scenarios: Research is being conducted to effectively utilize large language models (LLMs) in situations where data is scarce, a common challenge in many African regions.
• AI for Societal Challenges: The lab is applying AI to critical areas such as flood forecasting, using advanced models to improve prediction and mitigation efforts.
• Inclusive AI: The overarching goal is to power inclusive AI for Africa's future, ensuring that AI technologies are accessible, beneficial, and ethically deployed.

Featured Research and Publications:

• Seminar: AI for Africa’s Future: Innovation, Equity, and Impact: A seminar exploring the potential of AI in Africa.
• White Paper: AI and the Future of Work in Africa: A report detailing the impact of AI on employment and the economy in Africa.
• Keynote: Building Globally Equitable AI: A discussion on creating AI systems that are fair and accessible worldwide.
• Panel Discussion: Generative AI for Global Impact: Challenges and Opportunities: An exploration of generative AI's potential and hurdles.
• Highlighted Publications:
  • "Social by Nature: How Socio-tecture Shapes the Work of SMBs and Considerations for Reimagining Collaborative Human-AI Systems" (April 2025)
  • "IrokoBench: A New Benchmark for African Languages in the Age of Large Language Models" (April 2025)
  • "Towards Flood Extent Forecasting: Evaluating a Weather Foundation Model and U-Net for Flood Forecasting" (April 2025)

Leadership and Location:

• Director: Jacki O'Neill leads the Microsoft Research Africa, Nairobi lab.
• Location: Dunhill Towers, 7th Floor, Waiyaki Way, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya.

Engagement and Outreach:

The lab actively engages with the community through various channels, including:

• Overview: General information about the lab's mission and work.
• People: Information about the researchers and staff.
• Seminars: Details on ongoing and past seminar series.
• Projects: Information on current research projects.
• Publications: A repository of published research.
• News and Awards: Updates on the lab's achievements.
• Academic Engagements: Collaboration with academic institutions.
• Stories: Narratives highlighting the impact of their work.

Social Media and Connectivity:

The lab maintains a strong presence on social media to share updates and engage with the public:

• X (Twitter): @MSFTResearch
• Facebook: microsoftresearch
• LinkedIn: Microsoft Research
• YouTube: Microsoft Research
• Instagram: msft_research
• RSS Feed: Available for updates.

The content emphasizes Microsoft's commitment to advancing AI research and development in Africa, focusing on practical applications, ethical considerations, and inclusive growth.