{
  "id": 16181722,
  "title": "Meru University launches Ksh140M AI innovation hub",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/meru-university-launches-ksh140m-ai-innovation-hub",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-23T11:46:54.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/news/meru-university-launches-ksh140m-ai-innovation-hub"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Meru University of Science and Technology has unveiled a Ksh140 million Artificial Intelligence innovation hub aimed at transforming students' ideas into marketable products, start-ups and employment opportunities. Partnered with Safaricom Foundation, the Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship will offer specialized laboratories, AI skills and prototyping facilities to help students and researchers develop practical solutions to community and industry challenges. Safaricom CEO and Chancellor Peter Ndegwa highlighted the need for graduates to move beyond consuming technology and become creators of innovations, emphasizing the role of emerging technologies in creating employment across various sectors. The university's Vice-Chancellor, Prof Romanus Odhiambo, welcomed the investment, describing it as a significant milestone in strengthening research, innovation and entrepreneurship. He urged graduates to use the facility to develop innovations that address community needs and generate economic opportunities, emphasizing the facility's role in bridging the gap between academia and industry.",
  "summary": "Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) has launched a Ksh140 million AI innovation centre designed to turn students’ ideas into marketable products, start-ups and employment opportunities. The Centre for Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship, established through a partnership involving Safaricom Foundation, will provide specialised laboratories, artificial intelligence skills and…",
  "key_points": [
    "Meru University launches Ksh140M AI innovation hub",
    "Partnered with Safaricom Foundation for specialized labs and AI skills",
    "Aims to transform student ideas into marketable products and employment"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}