Three months ago, we welcomed more than 129 small business owners to the first AI Mtaani Biashara Edition. Some arrived curious, while others wondered whether Artificial Intelligence had anything to do with their businesses. By the end of the day, they left with a different perspective: AI wasn’t just for big companies or people working in corporate offices. It was a practical tool that could help ordinary entrepreneurs improve the way they worked, communicated with customers, and grew their businesses.
As that first gathering came to an end, one question stayed with us: What happens after the introduction?
On 9th July 2026, we got our answer.
Despite steady rain throughout the morning, 160 small business owners continued arriving for AI Mtaani Biashara Edition 2 in Kilifi County. Under tents pitched beneath a giant tree, market traders, farmers, salon owners, cyber café operators, fish vendors, tailors, boda boda riders, craft makers, grocery shop owners, and many others gathered with one shared purpose: to discover how Artificial Intelligence could help them build better businesses. Some even came carrying the products they hoped AI would help them market to more customers.
Watching people brave the rain to spend hours learning about AI reminded us why AI Mtaani exists. The first edition sparked curiosity. This second edition showed us that curiosity was becoming confidence.
Seeing AI Through a Different Lens
Rather than beginning with technical definitions, we started with a simple challenge.
Participants were shown two photographs, one created using Artificial Intelligence and the other captured by a professional photographer. We asked, “Can you tell which image was created by AI?”
The room quickly came alive. Participants leaned forward, debated with their neighbours, and confidently defended their answers. When the correct image was revealed, laughter filled the space because very few people had guessed correctly.
The exercise accomplished exactly what we hoped. It broke the ice and reminded everyone that AI is already part of the world we interact with every day.
Speaking the Community Language
Because AI Mtaani is designed for the community, every session was delivered entirely in Kiswahili.
We asked another question.
“AI ni nini ( What is AI)?”
One participant confidently answered, “Ni system ambazo zimetengenezwa kwa computer.”
It wasn’t a perfect definition, but it reflected an important reality: people already knew AI existed.
We followed with another question.
“Ni aina gani za AI mnazozifahamu (what types of AI do you know)?”
Almost immediately, hands shot into the air.
“Gemini, Meta AI, ChatGPT, Siri!”
It became clear that many participants had already encountered AI. What they needed was learning how to use these tools more effectively.
Learning to Ask Better Questions
As participants shared their experiences, one challenge stood out: knowing how to ask better questions.
That became one of the most valuable conversations of the day.
Together, we explored the art of prompting: giving AI the right context, assigning it a role, and clearly describing the task to receive more useful responses. We also discussed protecting sensitive business information, verifying AI-generated content, and avoiding online scams.
Participants quickly began seeing AI differently, not simply as another app, but a practical business assistant.
When Learning Turns into Action
An encouraging moment came from entrepreneurs who had attended the first AI Mtaani Biashara Edition 1. They returned with stories of how AI had already become part of their businesses. The conversation had shifted from “What is AI?” to “How can I use it even better?”
One of the first participants to share her experience was Faith Auma, a businesswoman who sells beddings and curtains.
“Meta AI kwenye WhatsApp imekuwa kama rafiki yangu. Kila asubuhi ninapofungua mtandao hunisalimia na kuniuliza mipango yangu ya siku ili iweze kunisaidia. Hunisaidia kuandika jumbe za kuwafikia wateja wangu kwenye WhatsApp Business Group na hata kutengeneza posters za biashara yangu. Leo kupitia AI Mtaani Biashara Edition 2 nimejifunza kuwa AI inaweza kufanya mengi zaidi kutika kukukuza biashara yangu.”
Her story showed how AI is helping entrepreneurs become more productive and creative in their everyday work.
Another participant shared that the biggest discovery was realising the technology had been in their phone all along.
“Natumia Siri kunisaidia kuweka alarm za kunikumbusha muda mzuri wa kutuma jumbe kwa wateja wangu mtandaoni. Pia naiagiza ipigie simu wateja wangu ili niwajulishe ninapopokea bidhaa mpya. Kupitia AI Mtaani Biashara Edition, nimegundua kuwa hata AI iliyopo kwenye simu yangu inaweza kunisaidia kuendesha biashara yangu kwa ufanisi zaidi.”
Among the returning participants was an entrepreneur who reflected on how much had changed since attending the first AI Mtaani.
“Kabla ya kushiriki AI Mtaani Biashara Edition ya kwanza, sikuwahi kujua kutumia ChatGPT kwenye biashara yangu. Leo ninaitumia kutengeneza business plan, kupanga mipangilio yangu na kuweka malengo ya ukuaji wa biashara. Mafunzo haya yamenionyesha kuwa AI ni kitu muhimu kwa kila mfanyabiashara.”
This is what meaningful digital inclusion looks like—giving people the confidence to apply technology in ways that improve their businesses.
Another entrepreneur explained how learning AI had opened an unexpected opportunity.
“Natumia Gemini kutengeneza poster za biashara yangu, na pia natengeneza poster za biashara nyingine kwa malipo. AI haijanisaidia tu kutangaza biashara yangu, bali pia imenifungulia njia mpya ya kuongeza kipato.”
What began as learning a digital skill became a new source of income.
Another participant described how AI had become a trusted research partner.
“Natumia ChatGPT kufanya utafiti wa biashara yangu. Hunisaidia kuelewa hali ya soko, kuwafahamu washindani wangu, na kuona fursa za kuboresha biashara. Kupitia taarifa hizo, ninaweza kufanya maamuzi bora na kukuza biashara yangu.”
By making research and planning more accessible, AI is helping small business owners make more informed decisions.
More than a Training
By the end of the day, what stayed with us wasn’t the technology itself. It was the people.
One hundred and sixty entrepreneurs had spent hours learning together, asking thoughtful questions, sharing experiences, and discovering new possibilities for their businesses. Even after the rain had stopped, the conversations continued.
Looking back, the first AI Mtaani was about opening a door. This second edition was about watching people walk through it.
Local business owners who once believed AI was only for large companies are now creating marketing materials, researching their markets, writing business plans, communicating with customers, improving productivity, and even generating new income.
At Maono Space, we believe innovation should never be reserved for a privileged few. It should belong to the vegetable vendor, the tailor, the fish trader, the farmer, the cyber café owner, the salon operator, and every entrepreneur working to build a better future.
AI Mtaani is a growing movement to ensure that Artificial Intelligence reaches the people who need it most, in a language they understand, through practical skills they can apply immediately, and in ways that strengthen livelihoods.
If this second edition taught us anything, it is this: when communities are given the opportunity to learn, they don’t simply keep up with the future, they begin to shape it.
