By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Kenya has called for greater
investment in homegrown artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, emphasising
the need for African countries to develop and lead AI solutions that address
local challenges while upholding ethical standards.
Speaking at the DU-BRAINS AI
Conference 2026 hosted by Daystar University under the theme “Building
Responsible Artificial Intelligence for Inclusive Networked Societies,”
Principal Secretary for the State Department for Science, Research and
Innovation, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, said Kenya must move beyond AI
discussions and focus on transforming research into practical applications that
improve lives.
Prof. Abdulrazak said
Africa’s AI future should be built around systems that understand local
realities, including recognising African agricultural needs, supporting
healthcare solutions, advancing education and enabling businesses through
locally relevant technologies.
He stressed that African
countries must avoid outsourcing intelligence and instead develop capabilities
across the entire AI value chain, including data development, computing
infrastructure, research, intellectual property creation, deployment and commercialisation.
According to the Principal
Secretary, responsible AI development must balance innovation with protection
of human rights, noting that AI systems should be designed around principles of
fairness, transparency, security, accountability and meaningful human
oversight.
He warned that while
artificial intelligence has the potential to improve productivity, expand
access to knowledge and support critical services, it also presents risks
including discrimination, privacy violations, misinformation and potential
disruption to employment.
Prof. Abdulrazak commended
Daystar University for bringing together researchers, innovators, policymakers,
industry leaders, students and ethics experts to address the role of AI in
shaping inclusive societies.
He said Kenya and the wider
African continent must not only participate in the global AI revolution but
actively contribute to shaping its direction through responsible, inclusive and
ethical innovation.
The conference brought
together stakeholders to explore pathways for advancing AI research, adoption
and governance while strengthening Africa’s role in the emerging global AI
ecosystem.
