A Canadian technology firm, Predictiv AI Inc., has gone public, signalling a significant shift in the global artificial intelligence landscape away from broad, experimental projects and towards targeted systems that deliver measurable results. The company began trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) this week under the ticker PAI.

This move matters because it underscores a growing investor appetite for what is known as "vertical AI"—specialised software designed for the unique workflows and regulatory pressures of specific industries. For Kenya, this global trend could directly influence the efficiency and safety of its billion-shilling logistics, transport, and aviation sectors.

Many companies struggle to move AI projects from the testing phase to full-scale deployment, a challenge Predictiv AI aims to solve by focusing on practical, ready-to-use applications. "Vertical AI applications are adopted more readily because they are designed around defined workflows, regulatory considerations, and real operational constraints," the company noted.

From Toronto to Thika Road: The Local Impact

Predictiv AI's flagship product, Shift AI, is a fleet operations platform designed for asset-intensive industries. Its features are directly relevant to the challenges faced by Kenyan logistics operators, from long-haul trucking firms to matatu saccos and aviation ground fleets.

The platform offers tools that could fundamentally change local operations, including:

• Real-Time Fleet Tracking: Allowing companies to monitor vehicle locations, optimise routes to save fuel, and adjust to traffic delays.
• Predictive Maintenance: Using data to forecast vehicle repair needs before a breakdown occurs, reducing costly downtime.
• Driver Behaviour Analytics: Monitoring driving patterns to improve safety and efficiency on the roads.
• Compliance and Documentation: Streamlining the management of insurance, inspection records, and other critical documents.

The adoption of such technologies is already underway in Kenya, with local logistics firms leveraging AI to enhance route planning and warehouse management. This shift is part of a massive global AI market, which some analysts project could reach nearly $1.8 trillion (approx. KES 234 trillion) by 2030.

While the potential is enormous, significant hurdles to AI adoption remain, including the need for high-quality data, a shortage of skilled talent, and the high costs of implementation. However, the move towards specialised, off-the-shelf vertical AI solutions could lower these barriers for Kenyan businesses.

As Suman Pushparajah, CEO of Predictiv AI, emphasized, the focus is now on "practical execution... with an emphasis on defined use cases rather than experimentation." This pragmatic approach may be what finally unlocks AI's potential to streamline the arteries of Kenya's economy.