February 2018 - isoc - Skunkworks Site

Technology will be major driver for Big Four plan, President Kenyatta says
by WANGARI KABIRU 27 Feb '18

27 Feb '18

Technology will be major driver for Big Four plan, President Kenyatta says – Presidency' | | | | | | | | | | | Technology will be major driver for Big Four plan, President Kenyatta says ... | | | | "......“To this end, the Ministry of ICT will set up a taskforce on Blockchain and Internet of Things Technology – because, as a country, we cannot let these opportunities pass us by,” said President Kenyatta. The President said the potential for digital dividends is enormous if its transformational potential is harnessed by creating the right policy framework. “As a matter of fact, the internet and associated digital trade of goods and services have led up to 10 percent rise in employment in Africa,” said the President.President Kenyatta made the comments when he delivered a speech Africa’s Digital Syposium at the Strathmore College in Nairobi whose theme was “Digital Drivers, Enabling the Growth of the Digital Economy in Africa”....."Big acknowledgement for newer tech from the top. The Head of State said new innovations from Kenya have trended in the world, showing that the country Kenya has the potential to continue leading in the digital revolution.“MPESA, M-Kopa, GroIntelligence, Andela and others, show that we can lead the world with innovations that drive financial inclusion, access to energy, better data to drive our agriculture, and the essential skills required to support the young innovators of the future,” said the President.I am perturbed when technologies that Kenyans are good consumers of become the benchmark on how innovative the Kenyans in the Silicon Savana are. My prayer is that Kenyan tech entrepreneurs and innovators are equally groundbreaking and celebrated elsewhere...qualifying for State mentions for being part of the economic solution and employment creation . The big 4 continues to be opportunity ground for innovators and matching investors."The Big Four include the expansion of manufacturing, affordable housing, food security, and universal health care..." Be blessed. Regards/Wangari --- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth". Technology will be major driver for Big Four plan, President Kenyatta says February 27, 2018 In Latest NewsTechnology will be major driver for Big Four plan, President Kenyatta saysNAIROBI, 27 February 2018 (PSCU) —President Uhuru Kenyatta today said technology will be a major driver for delivering his Big Four plan for growing the country’s economy.Speaking when he delivered a speech at a symposium on digital technology at the Strathmore College, Nairobi, President Kenyatta said he was confident that the digital revolution will help Kenya achieve the Big Four plan and ensure that growth transforms the lives of the people.The Big Four include the expansion of manufacturing, affordable housing, food security, and universal health care.President Kenyatta said technology will support affordable healthcare by driving access to information, better financing, stronger training for health workers, and, ultimately, broader access to services.He said digital technology will also support efforts to increase food security by playing a key role in agricultural value chains through better access to inputs, more reliable weather and crop information, tracking of counterfeit inputs, more transparent access to markets and fair pricing.“Digital technology also underpins a range of agro-financing services that are essential for equipping smallholder farmers across the country,” said the President.The President said Kenya was also positioning itself to reap the most out of the global digital revolution.He said the government will set up a committee on Blockchain and Internet of Things technologies that will study the benefits and challenges associated with the latest digital innovation trends.Blockchain is the technology used by cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and refers to a continuously growing list of records that are linked and secured using cryptography. A blockchain, by design, is resistant to alteration or modification and some countries have already started applying the technology for official business.“We need to better understand the opportunities for Blockchain Technology, the risks of cybersecurity and the essential education and skills that our young people will need to make new technology work for them,” said the President.He said the country has been a leader in digital innovation and would not be left behind in the latest trends.“To this end, the Ministry of ICT will set up a taskforce on Blockchain and Internet of Things Technology – because, as a country, we cannot let these opportunities pass us by,” said President Kenyatta.The President said the potential for digital dividends is enormous if its transformational potential is harnessed by creating the right policy framework.“As a matter of fact, the internet and associated digital trade of goods and services have led up to 10 percent rise in employment in Africa,” said the President.President Kenyatta made the comments when he delivered a speech Africa’s Digital Syposium at the Strathmore College in Nairobi whose theme was “Digital Drivers, Enabling the Growth of the Digital Economy in Africa”.The Head of State said new innovations from Kenya have trended in the world, showing that the country Kenya has the potential to continue leading in the digital revolution.“MPESA, M-Kopa, GroIntelligence, Andela and others, show that we can lead the world with innovations that drive financial inclusion, access to energy, better data to drive our agriculture, and the essential skills required to support the young innovators of the future,” said the President.The symposium was also addressed by the Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Mr Joe Mucheru and the CEO of General Electric Africa, Mr Jay Ireland.Mr Ireland, who also represented the US Chamber of Commerce, said American companies see the potential for investment that Kenya provides and are ready to play their part to enable Kenya achieve sustainable growth. Author GoK - LATEST NEWS - Technology will be major driver for Big Four plan, President Kenyatta says February 27, 2018 - President Kenyatta hands over national flag to junior golf teamFebruary 27, 2018 - TENDER NO. SH/020/2017-2019 FOR PROVISION OF TENTS AND ACCESSORIES February 26, 2018 - TENDER NO. SH/018/2017-2019 FOR OUTSIDE CATERING SERVICES February 26, 2018 - TENDER NO. SH/017/2017-2019 FOR SUPPLY OF BLACK DIESELFebruary 26, 2018 - - - -

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The Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence Report
by WANGARI KABIRU 22 Feb '18

22 Feb '18

The Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence | | | | | | | | | | | The Malicious Use of Artificial Intelligence Forecasting, Prevention, and Mitigation | | | | ".... potential security threats from malicious uses of artificial intelligence technologies, and proposes ways to better forecast, prevent, and mitigate these threats. We analyze, but do not conclusively resolve, the question of what the long-term equilibrium between attackers and defenders will be...." Be blessed. Regards/Wangari--- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth".

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Next deadline: Mar 25, 2018 - The Information Controls Fellowship Program (ICFP)
by WANGARI KABIRU 21 Feb '18

21 Feb '18

The Information Controls Fellowship Program (ICFP) cultivates research, outputs, and creative collaboration on topics related to repressive internet censorship and surveillance. The application window is open until March 25, 2018. Information Controls Fellowship | Open Technology Fund | | | | | | | | | | | Information Controls Fellowship | Open Technology Fund | | | | Be blessed. Regards/Wangari --- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth". https://www.opentech.fund/requests/icfp The Information Controls Fellowship Program (ICFP) cultivates research, outputs, and creative collaboration on topics related to repressive internet censorship and surveillance. The application window is open until March 25, 2018. Setting the stage The Information Controls Fellowship Program (ICFP) supports examination into how governments in countries, regions, or areas of OTF’s core focus are restricting the free flow of information, cutting access to the open internet, and implementing censorship mechanisms, thereby threatening the ability of global citizens to exercise basic human rights and democracy; work focused on mitigation of such threats is also supported.Fellowship Information - Three, six, nine or twelve month fellowships available - Usually offered to postdoctoral, doctoral students, and experienced researchers with demonstrated ability and expertise - Monthly stipend of $4,200 USD - Travel stipend of $1,250 to $5,000 USD depending on the fellowship length Likely candidatesTypically, ICFP fellows have experience in fields such as computer science, engineering, information security research, software development, social sciences, law, and data visualization, among others. Information controls is a cross-disciplinary field, so applications are open to people from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines and can include students and junior to mid-career practitioners. To get a better sense of the ICFP community, you can read about fellows from round one, round two, round threeand round four. Who are the fellows? Check out the current ICFP fellows!Current fellowsFellow Taha Khan Information Controls FellowFellow Sergei Hovyadinov Information Controls FellowFellow Zack Weinberg Information Controls FellowFellow Igor Valentovich Information Controls FellowFellow Simone Basso Information Controls FellowSimone will work with Measurement Lab at the Open Technology Institute to advance the MeasurementKit platform. MeasurementKit is the engine underneath OONI-Probe’s mobile testing platform and the Measurement Lab performance testing platform that generates millions of data points each year.Fellow Ksenia Ermoshina Information Controls Fellow - Information Controls Fellowship | Open Technology Fund | | | | | | | | | | | Information Controls Fellowship | Open Technology Fund | | | | Where do fellows work?ICFP fellows embed with a host organization for the duration of their fellowship.When applying, applicants can specify any host organization of their choosing. Regardless of whether it is a previous or new host organization, justification needs to be provided in the application. Please note that non-academic host organizations are welcome, as are those based outside the United States. While fellows are ideally able to work locally within their host organization, applicants who wish to work remotely will also be considered with the expectation that a strategy for remote communication will be established. You can find previous host organizations listed in the fellowship descriptions.For entities interested in serving as a host organization, please email icfphost(a)opentechfund.org for more information. Criteria and the application process For a full rundown of the application process, head here.When are requests for applications made?The 2018 application window is open from February 5, 2018 until March 25, 2018. Please note that application must be submitted via the OTF website no later than 23:59 (11:59PM) GMT on March 25, 2018. The fellowship window is open once annually.If you’d like to be notified when this and other OTF funding windows open in the future, sign up to join the OTF-announce mailing list.Potential areas of focus - Development and refinement of tools and techniques to continuously monitor internet interference on a global scale - Investigation of information controls, security, and privacy in popular applications such as search engines, social media platforms, and instant messaging clients - Testing creative methods of censorship circumvention - Examination of the impact of internet censorship and use of circumvention tools - Experimental techniques to limit pro-government manipulation of online discussions - Analysis of targeted threats against civil society organizations, including internet filtering, denial of service attacks, and targeted malware - Other novel ideas and approaches relating to the study of global and regional information controls Things to avoid - A focus on countries with minimal information controls - Working with a host organization you are already affiliated with - Testing of end user connections that violate established ethical principles - Projects better suited for the Digital Integrity Fellowship Program Important considerations - Projects should exhibit originality, substance, precision, and relevance to the mission of promoting freedoms of expression, assembly, and association online. Objectives should be ambitious, yet measurable and achievable with activities and milestones listed monthly. The overall project goals should extend beyond traditional audiences. - For the duration of fellowships, the fellow will be expected to work full time with their host organization. - Before completing a submission, we strongly encourage you to review our Terms of Service. - Please pose any questions in this public spreadsheet and they will be answered in a prompt fashion. If your question is not appropriate for a public forum, please email icfp(a)opentechfund.org. Review panel All ICFP fellowship applications are reviewed by the OTF team; selected applications are also then reviewed by an independent Advisory Council review panel comprised of experts with deep knowledge and insight into topics related to information controls.Members of the ICFP Advisory Council review panel are:Advisory council Roya Ensafi Postdoctoral ResearcherAdvisory council Stefania Milan Assistant Professor of New Media and Digital Culture at the University of Amsterdam Award information OTF awards are performance-based contracts between RFA and the applicant with payment occurring through a monthly stipend subject to approval each month by the OTF Program Manager and supporting host organization. OTF reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under such circumstances as it may deem to be in the best interest of the program priorities. Application requirements, submission, and deadlines Project and Budget Periods OTF fellowship contracts are 3, 6, 9 or 12 months in duration. From time to time OTF may consider applications to extend existing contracts beyond the initial project period. Any such decision will be subject to availability of funds, satisfactory progress of the applicants, and a determination that continued funding would be in the best interest of program priorities. Monitoring & Evaluation OTF views monitoring and evaluation as a way to learn from our fellows and share lessons learned with future applicants. This improves the collective knowledge of the community and thus contributes to its sustainability.Because payment is dispersed at monthly intervals upon completion of stated contractual goals, successful applicants can expect regular contact with both their host organization and OTF project manager. Monitoring consists of compulsory monthly reports and also phone, email, or in-person discussions and consultations as needed. Fellows are required to submit brief monthly updates about their work to OTF, their host organization, and the OTF community. This allows others to review and comment on the ICFP community’s work, encouraging collaboration.The adviser or responsible person at the host organization, in turn, provides a “traffic light” report to OTF evaluating their fellow’s progress. This report, detailed below, is the basis upon which stipend payments are released to fellows on a monthly basis.A “green light” from the host organization signals that the fellow is on track and funds can be released. A “yellow light” from the host organization signals that while funds should be released, there are some concerns that need to be flagged to OTF. A “red light” from the host organization signals that progress has been interrupted and an intervention is required. The host organization recommends “stop payment” and OTF, the host organization, and the fellows discuss possible remedial steps to either get back on track or terminate the fellowship.Eligibility - Individuals of all ages irrespective of nationality, residency, creed, gender, or other factors, with the exception that OTF is not able to support applicants within countries that the United States has trade restrictions or export sanctions as determined by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). - Individuals who demonstrate skill and ability to assist in efforts to overcome information controls. - Individuals who demonstrate a desire to grow their knowledge and skills through a collaborative, cross-discipline approach. - Individuals who demonstrate a commitment to reach audiences outside the research community. Fellowship application | Open Technology Fund | | | Fellowship application | Open Technology Fund | | |

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Safaricom fights back in Okoa Jahazi case - Business Daily
by Ali Hussein 20 Feb '18

20 Feb '18

Listers Apologies for cross posting. Interesting story in the Business Daily today. Two petitioners have sued Safaricom over the charges it imposes on Okoa Jahazi airtime services, claiming that they are illegal. Mr Ashford Koome and Eric Kithinji, claim that Safaricom is not licensed to carry out banking services, hence the interest it charges on the airtime advanced to the subscribers is illegal. Safaricom has however disputed the claims arguing that the charges have been approved by the Communications Authority of Kenya, and that they are not interest but a service charge. Read on:- https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/corporate/companies/Safaricom-fights-ba… Regards Ali Hussein Principal Hussein & Associates +254 0713 601113 Twitter: @AliHKassim Skype: abu-jomo LinkedIn: http://ke.linkedin.com/in/alihkassim "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit." ~ Aristotle Sent from my iPad

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Congratulations to @Intel who have achieved a new record for ‘Most Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) airborne
by WANGARI KABIRU 12 Feb '18

12 Feb '18

Intel on Twitter | | | | | | | | | | | Intel on Twitter “1,218 Intel drones light up the sky at #PyeongChang2018. https://t.co/Z6D3fePrBu” | | | | GuinnessWorldRecords‏Verified account @GWR Feb 9MoreGuinnessWorldRecords Retweeted IntelCongratulations to @Intel who have achieved a new record for ‘Most Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) airborne simultaneously’ with 1,200 drones for the opening ceremony of PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games in South Korea Captivating it is. Soon we may create Drone-lympics! At the same time a loud statement which challenges the youth employment and employability crisis, as tech provides immense opportunities to expand traditional sectors and way of work; skills and attitudes being a match. Be blessed. Regards/Wangari--- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth".

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IGF Community Public Consultation: Call for Inputs - Taking stock of the 2017 work programme and 12th IGF and suggestions for 2018 and 13th IGF
by WANGARI KABIRU 08 Feb '18

08 Feb '18

https://www.intgovforum.org/multilingual/content/igf-community-public-consu… Be blessed. Regards/Wangari--- Pray God Bless. 2013Wangari circa - "Being of the Light, We are Restored Through Faith in Mind, Body and Spirit; We Manifest The Kingdom of God on Earth". IGF Community Public Consultation: Call for Inputs - Taking stock of the 2017 work programme and 12th IGF and suggestions for 2018 and 13th IGF All IGF stakeholders are invited to submit inputs to the IGF Secretariat related to the following questions:A) Taking stock of 2017 programming, preparatory process, community intersessional activities and the 12th annual IGF: What worked well? What worked not so well?B) Suggestions for improvements in 2018? (programming, preparatory processes, community intersessional activities and improvements for 13th annual meeting)All inputs should be sent to takingstock_at_intgovforum_dot_org in .doc or .pdf format by 11 February 2018. Submissions will be uploaded to the IGF website and made public. In keeping with previous years, the Secretariat will produce a synthesis paper of all contributions received by the deadline, which will serve as an input to the 1st face-to-face Open Consultations and MAG Meeting of the 2018 IGF preparatory process.

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