Desta the Robot makes debut at Startup Ethiopia Exhibition

Addis Ababa, April 10, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute (EAII) and iCog Labs, in collaboration with other institutions, unveiled a robot named ‘Desta the Robot’ at the Startup Ethiopia Exhibition, which is being held at the Science Museum in Addis Ababa.

Children, youth and various sections of the society are visiting the startup exhibition to explore the showcased projects, including Desta the Robot, at the National Science Museum.

During the launching of the exhibition on April 8th, Minister of State for Finance, Eyob Tekalign, affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to advancing artificial intelligence technology.

He highlighted that the Ethiopian Artificial Intelligence Institute has integrated Amharic language programming into Desta the Robot. Eyob emphasized Ethiopia’s aspiration to attain the same level of advancement in artificial intelligence as the rest of the world.

Desta the Robot is anticipated to showcase its abilities at a jazz event featuring the acclaimed Ethiopian artist Mulatu Astaseke on April 11.

There are indications that Desta the Robot, along with other robotic creations from EAII, will be exhibited at the Institute starting from next Friday, offering a glimpse into the cutting-edge advancements in AI technology emerging from Ethiopia.