The Kenya Defence Forces’s Brigadier Joel Kirimi recently officiated the opening of the KDF Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) course at the Humanitarian Peace Support School (HPSS) in Nairobi.
The course, which is facilitated through a collaboration between Kenya and the Netherlands, comprises of KDF Officers drawn from the various Services, Units and Formations within the Defence Forces.
In his opening address, the Deputy DMI highlighted the importance of AI and data science in today’s dynamic military environment, noting they are imperatives for today’s security challenges.
“Ladies and gentlemen, In an era where decision-making, speed and precision determine operational success, the ability to harness vast data streams, identify patterns, and generate actionable intelligence is transformative. Today, you all represent the vanguard of this transformation. You have been selected not merely as trainees, but as pioneers and ambassadors who will carry these advanced capabilities across every service and unit of the Kenya Defence Forces,” he said.
The Course’s Lead Facilitator and Netherland’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) Data Science Center of Excellence (DSCE) Coordinator, Lieutenant Colonel Herwin Meerveld echoed his words, noting that Data Science and Artificial Intelligence have become a critical requirement for the military and the ever evolving security requirements all over the world.
He further highlighted Kenya’s role as a key player in regional stability and its contributions in the peace process over the years, and stated that the integration of, and the responsible use of AI within the its military will ensure a compounding effect in its capabilities and impact in the line of its national and regional duties.
“Our aim is to shape you not into full-fledged data scientists, but to arm you with a basic understanding of what Data Science and AI entail and how you as a military officer can navigate and apply yourself in todays modern warfare requirements,” he said.
The occasion also included the presence of the Commandant HPSS, Brigadier Cleopas Mundui who underscored the growing influence and importance of AI and technology today’s modern world, including facets such as security, intelligence, signal and forensic data to name a few.
The Inaugural course demonstrated the power of strategic partnership and shared vision which saw the convergence of world-class expertise bringing together the Dutch Data Science Center of Excellence with KDF’s institutional knowledge.
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