Artificial Intelligence (AI) and The Future of Democratic Governance in Eastern Africa: Lessons for Kenya

Executive Summary

The brief opines that strategic harnessing of Artificial intelligence (AI) technology systems can potentially strengthen democratic processes in Kenya and the region. With policy conversations on AI being driven majorly by commercial and
geopolitical imperatives, the vulnerabilities in the adoption of generative technology can be exacerbated by the geopolitics of AI governance due to advancements in globalization. The complex nature and nascent state of the adoption  of AI in the country offer strategic options for harnessing AI-based technologies in democratization processes. The options lie in embracing AI-based innovations in strengthening government digitization initiatives; transparency and accountability;
national security; delicate balance of information overload in political advocacy. The brief concludes that the deployment and adoption of the applications could enable citizens to access information, participate in decision-making, and hold the government accountable. However, if misused can threaten the democratic governance gains, leading to a breach of the constitutional order. Key recommendations include that the Ministry of Information, Communications, and The Digital Economy should develop a National AI strategy to provide guidelines and regulations for large-scale deployment of AI; establish AI multi-sectoral oversight board; accelerate AI research- led and knowledge development and transfer strategies; capacity building and sectoral retooling on AI use; selective collaboration public private in AI infrastructure investment; scale up funding for AI innovations and incubation centres; develop reliable and aggregated public data ecosystem; and legislate appropriate AI laws based on Kenya’s and the region’s needs.