Insightful Discourse on AI for the future - the future of AI
The University of Nairobi held a side event immediately after the launch of the Kenya AI strategy in a follow-up to the February 2025 Paris AI Action Summit and part of the strategic development of the University of Nairobi Engineering & Science Complex. The Session was co-hosted by the French Embassy in Kenya and the French Development Agency (AfD).
‘Institutions of Higher Learning have been called to intensify Research and Development on AI so that through more research, we can add more contextualized data and information to the AI tools,’ This was announced at the discourse on the Future of AI in Kenya.
Prof. Timothy Waema, a member of the Committee on the Kenya AI Strategy and a Facuty Member at UoN, while taking the audience through the key highlights of the AI Strategy also announced the introduction of an MSc in AI in September 2025 at UoN. He stressed that Kenya is among the few countries in Africa that have developed and adopted an AI Strategy. He mentioned 7 themes within the Strategy as follows:-
- AI digital Infrastructure
- Data
- AI Research & Innovation
- Talent Development
- Governance
- Investments
- Ethics, Equity and Inclusion
Prof. Frederic Pascal, Centrale Supelec's L2S laboratory, specializing in AI and applied mathematics and Director, Institute of DATA AI, has called on the use and adoption of AI to leverage productivity while cautioning against the bias of AI. He noted that AI can be used to deliver massive education. He noted that AI and data technologies are reshaping our daily lives in various profound ways, both apparent and subtle, presenting both opportunities and challenges.
Prof. Pascal thanked Kenya for adopting the AI strategy to move Kenya forward, saying that it has played a leading role by creating policies for the use of AI to bring the positive impact and providing a framework on how people should use it. The young generation needs to be equipped with the proper skills to enter the job market. Digital revolution of the 21st century is ushering in a transformative era for our global society.
Amb. Arnaud congratulated Kenya on the adoption and the Launch of AI in Kenya Strategy and noted that the launch will propel Kenya to its Leadership role not only in Africa but to greater heights.
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs, Prof. Ayub Gitau, applauded the University for its leadership role in the Launch of the Kenya AI Strategy and also mentioned that the University has aligned itself to the Digitalization and optimized use of AI.
Special Envoy, H.E Ambassador Philip Thigo emphasized AI and Data serve as powerful catalysts for addressing critical societal issues and hold immense promise for fostering a more secure and prosperous future. Kenya's AI strategy encourages the adoption of AI and data-driven solutions across key sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, urban development, manufacturing, education, security, and public service delivery. This strategy also supports the establishment of vibrant local digital ecosystems, exchange practices, and culture by building the Silicon Savana and Innovation Park.
A panel discussion that followed the keynote presentation clearly showed that Kenya still has a long way to go to fully optimize the use of AI. Calls for more Research on AI were echoed by all the panelists present.
