AI Tool Seeks to Anticipate Hunger in Kenya’s Drought-Stricken Areas

Esther Mulu, a 69-year-old farmer in drought-stricken Kitui County, Kenya, struggles to feed her seven children and 25 grandchildren, surviving on just one meal a day. Researchers from the University of California, supported by Microsoft, are developing an AI-driven tool to predict food insecurity months in advance. This innovative tool uses a decade’s worth of data, including satellite imagery and weather patterns, to forecast malnutrition cases 3 to 6 months ahead. Since its early 2023 testing, it has expanded from six to cover all of Kenya, allowing for better resource allocation, particularly for children under five. AMREF’s Samuel Mburu emphasizes the importance of this predictive capacity in saving lives. However, scaling these cloud-based AI solutions poses financial challenges, despite initial funding. Optimistically, the tool aims to empower local health officials to intervene earlier with food packs and medical aid, preventing hunger from reaching crisis levels.

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