iHubOnline Gets Microsoft Support for Local Language AI Project

We are excited to have been accepted into the Microsoft Founders Startup Hub. Under this program, Microsoft will provide numerous resources to help us develop AI-powered tools in the local language Chichewa.

The resources, which include free credits for OpenAI, will help us to develop and finetune an English-to-Chichewa translation model.

In relation to journalism, we aim to make production of news content for Chichewa speaking audiences a breeze, leveraging on the work we have started.

Although considered a low-resource language in the world of Large Language Models (LLMs), Chichewa is spoken by millions in Malawi, Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

Broadcasters such as Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC), SABC’s Channel Africa, and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) publish their content in this language across the region.

At iHubOnline, we give prominence to the concept of "glocalisation". Glocalisation is all about the adaptation of global ideas to fit and appeal to local context.

In line with this initiative, we will upgrade our AI-powered tools to reflect the needs of our local audiences. 

iHubOnline Founder Speaks at Global AI Festival

Journalists from across the globe on 5th and 6th December 2023 attended the JournalismAI Festival to discuss the intersection between journalism and artificial intelligence (AI).

Our founder Mallick Mnela was among the speakers at the Festival. 

"I'm excited to have joined the 2023 JournalismAI Festival as a panelist showcasing AI innovations in journalism across the world. 

"During our talk, I shared what I learned from the JournalismAI Academy for Small Newsrooms early this year and how it has shaped our use of AI at iHubOnline," he said.

Event organiser Selina Swift said the Festival drew journalists, media innovators, and AI experts from across the world to show case the impact of the JournalismAI project.

"The Festival offered media players the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences," said Swift.

This project is run by JournalismAI at the London School of Economics, backed by funding from the Google News Initiative.

Global Journalism Body Recognises iHubOnline's Work 

We were featured on the global ijnet page for our efforts to empower journalists with low-cost broadcasting solutions through a YouTube series on low-cost broadcasting techniques for under-resourced broadcasters in Malawi and elsewhere. Read more here: