In the vibrant realm of social innovation, where technology meets human ambition, remarkable ventures emerge to challenge and reshape our world. My journey as an educator has allowed me to witness firsthand the extraordinary impact of blending technological innovation with a deep commitment to social good. This year, the University of San Diego (USD) is honored to host the Global Finals of The Fowler Global Social Innovation Challenge (FGSIC), a platform that showcases the global ambition of students to tackle some of our most critical challenges, inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Not only will we be hosting this exciting competition - we also have two teams competing at the Global Finals! It is with great pleasure that I introduce Buni.Ai, who stands at the intersection of artificial intelligence and social empowerment.
Introducing Buni.Ai
It is with great pleasure that I introduce Buni.Ai, who stands at the intersection of artificial intelligence and social empowerment. Carolyne Komen (MASI ‘24), who decided to pursue her Master’s in Social Innovation having amassed a rich professional background in AI and social innovation, synced up with Honorebel Walker (Shiley-Marcos ‘24), to grow an idea into a reality. Buni.Ai aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence for societal benefit, focusing on Sustainable Development Goal #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Their mission to create employment opportunities through technology for Africa’s youth and women is not just visionary—it's a step towards a more inclusive and economically balanced future. Let’s delve into their inspiring story.
Carolyne Komen (MA in Social Innovation ‘24) and Honorebel Walker (Shiley-Marcos ‘24) of Buni.Ai
Q: What inspired you to tackle this issue?
A: The inspiration behind our venture is deeply rooted in the transformative power of AI and its potential to revolutionize industries while creating digital work opportunities for Africa’s youth. For AI to reach its full potential, it requires vast amounts of accurately labeled data—a resource often in short supply. Harnessing Africa's rich talent pool and leveraging technology, we aim to bridge this gap by sourcing, and validating Africa’s talent and supplying via a platform-based talent marketplace. By providing opportunities for skilled individuals in Africa to participate in the global AI ecosystem, we strive to power the development of AI while simultaneously addressing social issues of unemployment and economic inequality for a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
Q: What problem does your venture address?
A: Primarily, our venture aligns with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. We strive to create meaningful employment opportunities, especially for individuals in regions with limited access to traditional job markets. By connecting skilled data laborers with AI companies worldwide, we empower individuals to earn a sustainable income while participating in the global AI ecosystem.
Q: What challenges have you faced, and what have you learned?
A: During the ideation stage of our venture, one of the most critical hurdles we've encountered is refining our concept to pinpoint a specific niche within the AI training data services ecosystem. In a market where AI training data services are predominantly outsourced, refining our idea to carve out a niche was a critical milestone. One of the primary hurdles we faced is differentiating ourselves from existing training data outsourcing providers and demonstrating the added value we bring to the table.
To address this challenge, we focused on identifying specific pain points and inefficiencies within the outsourcing model that we can address through our unique approach. This involved conducting in-depth interviews and surveys with potential clients and industry experts to understand their pain points and unmet needs better. This helped us clarify our value add within the AI training data services market by positioning our venture as a provider of high-quality talent to both AI companies and AI training services BPO firms. This strategically positions us as an enabler rather than a direct competitor of other players in the market.
Q: How has stakeholder engagement influenced your venture?
A: Stakeholder engagement has been an integral part of our journey, spanning marketing, product/engineering, and financial consultations. By involving stakeholders in the product and engineering design process through feedback sessions and iterative prototyping, we aim to develop a user-friendly, feature-rich platform that meets the needs of both our talent pool and clients. In marketing, we've actively sought feedback from potential clients to shape our messaging and branding especially because our talent pool is African serving clients globally.
This is critical for both investor engagement and eventually business development efforts. Additionally, in financial engagements, stakeholder engagement has played a crucial role in efforts to present our business case and demonstrate the market opportunity as we seek funding for our venture.
Q: What excites you about representing USD in the Global Finals?
As we prepare for the Global finals, we are particularly excited about the opportunity to showcase our venture on an international stage and connect with other innovators and industry leaders. Firstly, it will allow us to receive feedback and validation from judges and experts in the field, helping us refine our concept and strategy. Additionally, the exposure and visibility gained from participating in such a high-profile event can open doors to new partnerships, collaborations, and investment opportunities, accelerating our growth and impact
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Join Us in Celebrating Social Innovation
As the 2024 Global Finals approach, we extend an invitation to celebrate the pioneering spirit of our finalists. This event is not just a competition; it’s a gathering of visionary minds committed to addressing global challenges through innovation. Buni.Ai, represented by Carolyne Komen and Honorebel Walker, exemplifies the fusion of AI technology and social innovation, aiming to make a tangible impact on economic growth and employment opportunities.
We look forward to welcoming you on Saturday, May 4th, at the University of San Diego for the 2024 Global Finals Public Showcase. This is your opportunity to witness the competition's finest, engage with the entrepreneurs like Carolyne and Honorebel, and explore the potential of social innovation to effect real change.
Your presence will not only support these innovative teams but also reinforce our shared commitment here at the University of San Diego to nurture a future where social innovation thrives.
