ICLR 2024March 15, 2024
Tokenization Strategies for Morphologically Rich Semitic Languages
A. Kebede, S. Johnson, M. Haile.
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Applied AI ResearchVLA AI Lab
VLA AI Lab
Vision, Language & Applied AI
Applied AI research for real-world impact in Ethiopia & Africa.
Who We Are
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice
VLA AI Lab is dedicated to advancing the state of Artificial Intelligence while ensuring equitable access to its benefits. Situated at the intersection of academic rigor and industry necessity, we focus on solving pressing challenges unique to the African context.
From low-resource natural language processing to climate-resilient agricultural models, our interdisciplinary team pushes the boundaries of what is possible, ensuring that the future of AI is inclusive and transformative.
Our Focus
Core Research Domains
We tackle Africa’s most pressing challenges through three interconnected research pillars.
Language AI (NLP)
Developing Large Language Models (LLMs) and translation systems for low-resource African languages, preserving cultural heritage and enabling digital access.
Gov & Legal AI
Streamlining judicial processes, digitizing legal archives, and creating transparency tools for governance through intelligent document processing.
Ag & Climate AI
Predictive modeling for crop yields, pest detection, and climate resilience strategies to support food security across the continent.
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Key Patents
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University Partners
Highlights
View All Projects Featured Projects
Highlights from our current initiatives.
NLPProject Fidel: Amharic LLM
A foundational Large Language Model specifically fine-tuned for Amharic and Ge’ez script languages. This project aims to democratize access to generative AI tools for over 50 million speakers in the horn of Africa.
Read Case Study
AgricultureCropGuard AI
Using computer vision on satellite and drone imagery to detect early signs of rust disease in wheat crops. Early warning systems deployed in three regions have saved an estimated 15% of annual yield.
Read Case StudyLatest Work
Recent Publications
Peer-reviewed research from our team, advancing the state of the art.
NeurIPS 2023December 10, 2023
Few-Shot Learning for African Crop Disease Detection
B. Tadesse, R. Smith.
PDFDataset
Shape the Future of AI in Africa
We’re looking for passionate researchers, engineers, and thinkers ready to tackle meaningful problems with cutting-edge AI.