The Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute, Addis Ababa University and the United Nations Development Programme have completed a two-week bootcamp for AI startups at minimum viable product stage — the first substantive output from the AI UniPod launched in Addis Ababa in February.
The UniPod was unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh as a centre for AI innovation, research and talent development, developed by the three institutions in partnership with the UNDP’s Timbuktoo Initiative. Tiruneh described it at the time as marking a strategic shift for Ethiopia from reliance on imported technology toward homegrown innovation.
Speaking at the completion ceremony, Ethiopian AI Institute Deputy Director General Dr Taye Girma praised the ideas developed by participating startups and said the concepts showed potential for practical application. He said the Institute would provide support to help the ventures develop and implement their solutions.
UNDP Ethiopia representative Dr Samuel Doe said the graduating startups demonstrated AI’s potential to address social and economic challenges, and that the UNDP would continue working with the Institute and other partners to strengthen Ethiopia’s AI ecosystem.
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