Principal Secretary for the State Department for Culture, Arts and Heritage: Ummi Bashir HANDOUT
Kenya has been challenged to ensure its rapid technological advancement is matched by robust policy, legal and governance frameworks tomaximisee the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) while protecting citizens from emerging risks.
The call was made during the Connecting Codes Conference 2026, held at the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) headquarters in Nairobi, where policymakers, researchers, government officials and international experts discussed the future of AI and digital knowledge systems.
Speaking during the conference, the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Broadcasting and Library Committee, Daniel Epuyo Nanok, said the country's AI ambitions must be supported by laws and regulations that keep pace with technological change.
Nanok said AI is already transforming key sectors, including education, healthcare, agriculture and public service delivery, but warned that the technology also presents challenges around accountability, transparency, privacy and equitable access.
"As technology evolves rapidly, our legal and governance frameworks must evolve with it. Parliament has a responsibility to create an environment that encourages innovation while safeguarding citizens' rights,” he said.
He called for continuous review of existing legislation and stronger collaboration between government, academia, industry and cultural institutions to develop evidence-based policies capable of supporting responsible AI adoption.
Nanok also warned that Africa risks being under-represented in the global digital economy if its languages, histories and indigenous knowledge are not integrated into digital platforms.
He said libraries, archives and museums have a critical role in preserving cultural heritage while ensuring technological development remains inclusive.
The conference comes as Kenya positions itself as one of Africa's leading digital innovation hubs, with increasing investments in digital services and artificial intelligence.
However, participants noted that gaps in digital infrastructure, technical capacity and policy frameworks could slow the country's progress if left unaddressed.
Delegates called for increased investment in digital infrastructure, ethical AI regulations and nationwide digital skills programmes to prepare citizens for an increasingly AI-driven economy.
They also urged policymakers to adopt inclusive policies that ensure marginalised communities are not left behind in the country's digital transformation.
The event was represented by Principal Secretary for the State Department for Culture, Arts and Heritage, Ummi Bashir, on behalf of the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services.
Bashir reaffirmed
the government's commitment to inclusive digital transformation, saying
emerging technologies should drive economic development while protecting
Kenya's cultural heritage.
The conference brought together participants from institutions including the Technical University of Kenya, the University of Kansas and other local and international partners.
