Browsing by Author "Oyile, Paul Oduor"

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Assessing ICT Infrastructure Requirements for AI-Powered Virtual Assistants in Delivering ICT Technical Support to Kenyan Public Universities
(International Journal of Advanced Research in Computer and Communication Engineering, 2023-08-14) Oyile, Paul Oduor; Ongare, Roselida Maroko; Ikoha, Anselemo Peters
In recent years, the global landscape has witnessed a significant surge in the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for devising intelligent solutions across corporate entities and institutions of higher education. This paper underscores the profound impact of AI in shaping the landscape of smart solutions and particularly emphasizes the deployment of AI-powered virtual assistants. These virtual assistants hold the potential to revolutionize ICT technical support provision in public universities by expediting the resolution of routine technical issues faced by students and potentially reducing dependency on dedicated ICT support personnel. However, the successful implementation of such transformative technology necessitates a comprehensive understanding of the requisite ICT infrastructure. This study aims to meticulously analyze the essential ICT infrastructure components crucial for the effective deployment of AIpowered virtual assistants. Employing a content analysis approach, the study gathered pertinent data from a corpus of 20 peer-reviewed journal articles centered on the themes of "ICT infrastructure" and "AI-powered Virtual Assistant." The investigation disclosed prominent AI platforms such as IBM Watson, Google Dialogflow, Microsoft Azure, and Amazon Lex as prevalent choices for Natural Language Processing in constructing AI-powered virtual assistants. These platforms exhibited inherent capabilities encompassing natural language comprehension, processing, and generation. Programming languages such as JavaScript, Java, C#, SQL, Python, and Php emerged as popular choices for coding the AI-driven chatbot. Core hardware requirements included servers, smartphones, routers, and PCs. Pertinent software components encompassed Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Operating Systems (OS), and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs). Furthermore, Facebook and WhatsApp emerged as prevalent messaging platforms for the testing, deployment, and user interaction aspects of the AI-powered chatbot. The outcomes of this study are anticipated to provide valuable insights for policy makers, IT practitioners, and university administrators, facilitating informed decision-making on the strategic integration of AI-powered virtual assistants to bolster ICT technical support for students.
Assessing Preparedness for Smart Farming and Technology Adoption among Kenyan Farmers
(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Applied Science, 2024-09-16) Gichuki, Dennis Karugu; Mbuguah, Samuel Mungai; Owoche, Patrick Oduor; Oyile, Paul Oduor
Agriculture is crucial in reducing poverty, promoting economic prosperity, and ensuring food security for the world’s growing population, which is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. This sector is vital to the global economy, contributing significantly to GDP and providing jobs for a large workforce. Precision agriculture and e-commerce advances have proven beneficial, boosting crop yields and rural incomes. Sub-Saharan Africa faces similar agricultural challenges as it anticipates a population of 2.1 billion by 2050. Although the region has made strides in expanding farmland and labour, improvements in crop yields have been limited. The digital revolution offers new opportunities to tackle issues such as undernutrition by improving access to information and technology. In Kenya, with a population projected to reach 95 million by 2050, expanding food production is a pressing challenge. Significant hurdles include declining soil fertility, inadequate water management, and a lack of technical support. While technologies like Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and Machine Learning (ML) have the potential to enhance agricultural productivity, their adoption is constrained by infrastructure issues, high costs, and a shortage of technical expertise. Addressing these barriers and improving farmer education is essential to fully realising these technologies' benefits.
Commonly Requested ICT Technical Support Services by Students in Public Universities in Kenya: A Case Study of Kibabii University
(Kibabii University, 2023-09-14) Oyile, Paul Oduor; Ongare, Roselida Maroko; Ikoha, Peters Anselemo
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional methods of instruction and learning, leading educational institutions to adopt online learning environments heavily reliant on ICT. However, providing effective and consistent ICT technical support posed challenges, with limited staffing and absences. This study aimed to investigate the commonly requested ICT technical support services by students in public universities in Kenya. The research questions focused on identifying the commonly requested ICT services and the frequently requested ICT technical support per service. The study utilized a case study research design, focusing on Kibabii University and involving 389 students and 16 ICT staff members. The student sample was selected through stratification into different faculties and schools, followed by random sampling. Data were collected through interviews and an online survey, and a descriptive analysis was conducted. The findings of the study revealed that the most frequently requested technical support services by students were related to eLearning services, email services, and online application and clearance services. Among these, eLearning support emerged as the most popular technical support service, while ERP support was the least popular. The results of this study hold significance for policy makers and university administrators as they seek to enhance the provision of technical support for ICT. The findings can inform decision-making processes regarding resource allocation, training, and infrastructure development to meet students' ICT support needs effectively. Moreover, the study sets the foundation for the development of a student-centered ICT technical support and infrastructure provision architecture, leveraging AI-powered virtual assistants to cater to students' ICT support requirements on behalf of ICT staff. In summary, this research sheds light on the commonly requested ICT services and technical support needs of students in public universities in Kenya, emphasizing the importance of a student-centric approach to ICT support.
Transforming Education Through ICT4D: An empirical review on digital tools and innovative learning solutions
(World Journal of Advanced Engineering Technology and Sciences, 2025-04-29) Oyile, Paul Oduor; Nambiro, Alice Wechuli
This paper presents an empirical review of the transformative potential of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICT4D) in the education sector. It explores how digital tools and innovative learning solutions are reshaping the educational landscape, particularly in developing countries, by enhancing access, quality, and equity in education. The review draws upon recent empirical studies, case studies, and policy reports published between 2020 and 2023 to provide an up-to-date analysis of the opportunities, challenges, and best practices in leveraging ICT4D for educational transformation. The findings highlight the significant progress made in the adoption and integration of digital technologies in education, such as mobile learning, online platforms, and educational software. However, the review also reveals persistent challenges, including the digital divide, infrastructure limitations, and the need for teacher training and support. The paper concludes by proposing a framework for harnessing the transformative power of ICT4D in education, emphasizing the importance of context-specific approaches, multistakeholder collaboration, and a focus on sustainability and scalability.