from MARIA MACHARIA in Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya Bureau
NAIROBI, (CAJ News) – KENYA has taken a major step in advancing artificial intelligence (AI) literacy through a milestone partnership with Intel Corporation, the American multinational technology company.
Initiated to advance the programme dubbed AI for Citizens and to be implemented through the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) and the Mandela AI Hub Foundation, the partnership was signed on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 81) ongoing in New York, United States.
John Tanui, Principal Secretary: State Department for ICT and the Digital Economy, signed on behalf of Kenya.
“This partnership takes AI literacy beyond the traditional classroom and into Kenya’s public library network, creating accessible pathways for young people, communities and lifelong learners to understand and responsibly use emerging technologies,” he said late Monday.
The official believes that by embedding foundational AI literacy within Kenya’s public learning infrastructure, the country is expanding access to the knowledge and skills needed to participate meaningfully in the digital economy.
“For Kenya, the ambition is clear: build an AI-ready society where digital skills and emerging technologies translate into greater opportunity, innovation and inclusive economic participation,” Tanui said.
He lauded such a partnership, bringing government institutions, global technology leaders and local innovation ecosystems together to ensure that the benefits of AI reach citizens across the East African country, the region’s largest economy.
This past weekend, also on the UNGA 81 sidelines, Kenya signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the Hoover Institution to deepen cooperation in AI, digital transformation, data governance, policy research, innovation and institutional capacity development.
At UNGA 81, one of Kenya’s priorities is to strengthen Africa’s role in shaping the global digital and AI economy.
President William Ruto is leading Kenya’s delegation at the UN event, which runs until September 28.
– CAJ News