Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has challenged African countries to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to boost their economies
The DP was speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the 41st International Association of Science Parks and Areas of Innovation World (IASP) Conference in Nairobi.
Gachagua urged African countries to play a leading role in harnessing the benefits of AI.
"Tech-leading countries globally are reaping from infusing Artificial Intelligence into agriculture, health, trade, manufacturing, tourism, and education, among other critical sectors of the economy," Gachagua said
Kenya is hosting the 41st IASP Conference, which is returning to Africa after 20 years. More than 50 countries have sent representatives to the Conference.
The theme for the conference is “Demographics, Entrepreneurship and Technology: Defining the Frontiers of Future Economies.”
The DP said President William Ruto's administration is focused on adopting and integrating ICT to power and drive sustainable socio-economic transformation.
He said the Ministry of ICT and Digital Economy targets the installation of 100,000 km fibre optic cable across Kenya and the establishment of digital hubs in each of the 1,400 wards.
The DP further stated that these hubs are providing vital access to digital platforms and job opportunities for young people, whether in urban or rural settings.
He continued to emphasize that the hubs are not only fertile innovation incubation centres, but also springboards to a knowledge-based and tech-driven sustainable economy founded on efficient service delivery.
The Deputy President revealed that the government is ready to maximise on opportunities provided by technological advancements including in provision of key services.
He cited E-citizen, agri-business and others as progressive innovations boosting the local economy and that Kenya and Africa cannot prosper by consuming imported technology and innovation only.
"We have unique resources and challenges, which must inform our deliberate and strategic investment in research and development as a precursor to customised solutions,” he said.
While noting that AI is predicted to contribute close to 16 trillion dollars to the global economy by 2030, he said, Kenya and Africa ought to be ready to have a bite of what it provides.
Gachagua called on the countries globally to work closely in forging a united front against the vice and the rising challenge of cybercrimes.
He went ahead to ask for harmonisation of laws, policies and regulations, to ensure stricter and prohibitive penalties against national, international and transnational cybercrime
“On behalf of President William Ruto and the People of the Republic of Kenya, we thank the IASP, for this special recognition. It is an affirmation of Nairobi and Kenya as the emerging and towering epicentre of Digital Innovation and Technology Revolution in Africa, and the World,” Gachagua said.
