Google

According to Google and Telkom Kenya, this is the first balloon-powered internet to launch in Africa and the first non-emergency commercial deployment in the world. It will cover more than 50,000 sq.km of the country with a fleet of 35 balloons as part of the Google Loon project. The Loon service will work by beaming internet connectivity from ground stations to balloons 20km overhead. These balloons are linked to the ground stations that have been connected to Telkom's network.

As some countries begin to open up, returning to work, Google is rolling out Transit alerts to Maps to help people avoid crowds. The feature displays when public transportation is likely to be more or less busy. There is an additional alert for drivers to see updates on their route. Google helps passengers avoid busy times, and keep up social distancing amid the pandemic. To get started one just searches for a station in Google Maps to see the departure board and busyness data, where available. Unfortunately, this feature is not here in the 254.

Kenya has been ranked best in Africa and 52nd Globally in the recently released Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index 2019. The Government AI Readiness Index 2019, Compiled by Oxford Insights and the International Development Research Centre, scores the governments of 194 countries and territories according to their preparedness to use AI in their operations and delivery of public services.

Software can be used to develop apps that detect when a user has spent time near another user who later tests positive for the virus. Apple and Google have released long-awaited smartphone technology to automatically notify people if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Facebook, and a group of telecom companies including China Mobile International, MTN GlobalConnect, Orange and Vodafone, are collaborating to build the “most comprehensive” subsea cable to serve the African continent and Middle East region where nearly a billion people are still offline.

VCs Address to the University Community:

1. The VC was happy to announce that the African Union in recognition of our good work has appointed Prof Ratemo Michieka, Prof. Francis Mulaa and Prof. Dimbson Wallace Bulimo to the African Union Advisory Board on Science, Technology and Innovation for covid-19 intervention. Congratulations to the three Professors.