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Kenya moves to regulate artificial intelligence amid rising use
Emerging technologies such as AI have rendered the existing regulations across sectors ineffective, forcing regulators across sectors to start revising or coming up with new laws.
Kenya is seeking to start regulating artificial intelligence (AI) in a move aimed at balancing between speeding up the adoption of this technology and guarding against misuse.
Through its newly published draft Kenya National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025 – 2030, the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy wants the country to roll out a governance framework that will promote the use of technology in sectors such as agriculture, security, healthcare, education, and public service delivery.
The ministry at the same time hopes to use the regulations to promote “responsible” and “ethical” use of the technology, coming at a time when many government critics are riding on multiple technologies to pass across their message of dissent on social media.
It warns that without clear guidelines and frameworks, AI development in the country might outpace the ability to govern it effectively, leading to potential misuse and harm.
Balanced approach
AI technology enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension problem-solving, decision making, and creativity.
“A balanced approach is needed to unlock AI's transformative potential in addressing our most pressing national challenges while safeguarding every Kenyan citizen's interests and rights,” reads the draft in part.
“This vision of an AI-enabled Kenya is not without boundaries. There is a need to strike a delicate balance between fostering innovation and implementing necessary safeguards.
“Protective measures are required to prevent the exploitative use of AI technologies….”
The ICT ministry says that the increasing use of AI technologies that require vast amounts of data has increased the risk of data misuse, unauthorised access, and a lack of control over personal information.
It adds that concerns about data colonialism and extractive practices by big tech companies are widespread.
“Public trust in AI technologies and their developers is also currently lacking, leading to skepticism about the intentions behind AI deployment. There is also a need to ensure that AI development respects human rights and aligns with Kenyan values,” reads the draft in part.
Emerging technologies such as AI have rendered the existing regulations across sectors ineffective, forcing regulators across sectors to start revising or coming up with new laws.
The country last week published Draft National Policy on Virtual Assets and Virtual Asset Service Providers that will guide in coming up with regulations for cryptocurrency transactions as the country pushes to curb tax evasion, fraud, and cybercrime amid growing use.