I'm Shongo On'osala Aaron, An Artificial Intelligence And Machine Learning Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Analyst, and polyglot. My journey began back in Kisangani, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and has since brought me to my current home in Kampala, Uganda. My formal education as a mathematician did not initially cover programming, AI, or machine learning. Instead, it focused on developing my analytical thinking and fostering a boundless enthusiasm for acquiring new wisdom with a profound passion for continuous learning and exploration.
I first encountered the concept of AI in secondary school, and at the time, I thought it was something unreal, like something out of a science fiction movie. However, my curiosity was piqued, and I began researching AI extensively. I decided then that if I were to pursue any IT related field, it would be AI, as it offered a vast array of opportunities and challenges.
In 2021, I took a significant step towards my dream by enrolling in a Higher Education Certificate in Information Technology. During the final semester, we had a Field Study in ICT Literacy. Mr. Kato Kenneth, our lecturer, proposed several research topics, one of which was Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. This topic immediately caught my interest, and I chose to focus my research on it. This decision brought back my secondary school memories and reinforced my commitment to pursuing a career in AI.
I sought advice from two of my friends, one was studying Computer Science and the other already specializing in AI. The Computer Science route was appealing, but my passion for AI was stronger.
My friend's project on a voice controlled automatic door opening system using voice recognition captivated me and fueled my desire to pursue AI even more. Three months after completing my Higher Education Certificate, I enrolled at ISBAT University in May 2022 to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learing.
Since then, I have dedicated myself to working diligently and exploring the vast landscape of AI and data driven fields. I began studying programming and machine learning during my higher education and have participated in numerous AI and Data Science projects. Some notable collaborations include:
- Mobility Prediction in partnership with Yango Group on Zindi Africa
- Computer Vision for Agriculture in collaboration with Makerere AI Lab
I have also actively participated in AI and Data Science challenges on platforms like Kaggle and Zindi Africa. These experiences have significantly enhanced my skills and deepened my understanding of the field.
On June 3rd, 2024, I embarked on an internship journey at Nobel Learning PBC in the USA, conducted online. This experience has been incredible, filled with learning, growth, and countless moments of self-discovery in a professional setting. On August 5th, 2024, I completed and received my Nobel Internship Fundamental Courses certificate. In September, I started my specialization journey as Machine Learning Engineer Intern specializing in digital transformations and emerging technologies and completed my specialization in December 2024.
In November 2024, I stepped into a new role as an Operations Team Member at Nobel Learning PBC, where I focused on optimizing database management processes. Currently, My work in operations, particularly in quality control and process improvement, contributed to decrease in defects and increase in overall product quality.
Alongside this, I undertook an Apprenticeship role at Google as Advanced Generative AI developer & Machine Learning Engineer from September 2024 to February 2025, this experience has further solidified my expertise, and I am proud to have earned recognition as a Certified Google Cloud Innovator.
In my free time, I engage in various activities to further my knowledge and experience. I participate in competitions on Kaggle and Zindi Africa, take online courses from Cisco, and stay updated with the evolving AI field through Microsoft Learn and Google Cloud Courses. In April 2024, I received a Microsoft Award Badge for Responsible AI.
Random facts about me: I speak English and French fluently, am a mathematician and physicist by education, and have read the book L'Empoisonneur countless times.
My journey in AI and Data Science has been marked by dedication, passion, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. I am excited about the future and the endless possibilities that lie ahead in this ever-evolving field.