from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – KENYA is wary of threats posed by artificial intelligence (AI) on national security.
This has been a prevailing worry at the two-day AI pre-hackathon organised by the National Intelligence Research University (NIRU) in Nairobi.
It was held until Tuesday under the theme, “AI for National Prosperity: Leveraging Innovation for Sustainable Development and Security.”
Prof Saul Marigat, NIRU Faculty Member, speaking on the closing day, noted current threats like cyber crime were always evolving in this advancing AI world.
“Technology, particularly AI, has become a major national security issue,” he told delegates,
“AI can help distribute resources more fairly, reduce human bias, enhance efficiency and improve decision-making. At the same time, it introduces new vulnerabilities that must be managed responsibly. Used well, AI is a powerful tool for peace, development and protection.”
The academic, a renowned expert on national security, added, “As long as human beings are not secure, there can be no true national security, even if the state institutions appear stable.”
Marigat said to address Kenya’s security challenges effectively, the East African country must develop creative, home-grown,and innovative solutions.
“Solutions designed within our own context are better suited to serve our specific problems and realities. Imported answers rarely fit local needs,” he added.
Originally founded in 2021 as a constituent college of the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K) and achieving full university status in 2024, NIRU is specialized university, with the mandate to train on intelligence studies and security research.
Jeffrey Adams, lauded the university for holding the pre-hackathon, ahead of the hackathon set for March.
“From AI-driven policing and public safety, to governance, cybersecurity and intelligence-led innovation, this hackathon reflects the future of problem-solving in Kenya,” he said.
Kenya is increasingly integrating technology into its national security strategy.
Earlier this month, the government proposed a new digital intelligence unit to monitor social media and deploy advanced surveillance technology to prevent violence and radicalisation.
Violence has peaked in recent years amid protests by youth against economic problems under the administration of President William Ruto. Radicalisation is a result of the Islamist Al-Shabaab group from neighbouring Somalia.
– CAJ News