The Chairperson of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation, Hon. John Kiarie has called for the creation of a Parliamentary Office on Science and Technology to guide Kenya in navigating the opportunities and risks of artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies.

Speaking during the 3rd Leadership Retreat of the National Assembly in Mombasa County, Hon. Kiarie said the world is firmly in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, marked by machine learning, interconnected devices and advanced algorithms.

He cautioned that unless Kenya acts decisively, the country risks being sidelined in a global economy increasingly driven by intelligent systems.

“Are we playing catch-up to a horse that has already bolted? If so, how do we find our footing in this new world?” he asked.

The legislator highlighted both the promise and peril of AI. He cited advances in agriculture, such as the Plant Village Nuru app that helps farmers detect pests, and medical breakthroughs where AI can assist in remote or even autonomous surgeries.

At the same time, he warned that AI-generated misinformation is already undermining democratic institutions.

“In June 2024, Parliament was under attack because of misinformation surrounding the Finance Bill. Content that never existed in the Bill was magnified online by automated systems and Members of Parliament had no right of reply,” he recalled.

Drawing parallels with the regulation of nuclear weapons in the 1940s, Hon. Kiarie argued that the world is yet to respond with the same urgency to AI’s potential dangers.

He emphasized that unchecked technological advances could disrupt lawmaking, healthcare, communication and even cultural preservation.

Hon. Kiarie stressed that Kenya’s Constitution and national development frameworks, including Vision 2030, must be reviewed to reflect the rapid pace of technological change.

He noted that while the country already has a Data Protection Act, its safeguards are insufficient in the face of new threats, referencing the Worldcoin case where sensitive biometric data was collected despite existing laws.

The Committee on Communication, Information and Innovation is recommending the establishment of a Parliamentary Office on Science and Technology, the creation of a joint AI committee between the National Assembly and Senate with input from academia and the private sector and capacity building for Members of Parliament to enhance their understanding of emerging technologies.

Hon. Kiarie contrasted Kenya’s limited preparedness with global efforts, noting that the United States has enacted more than 100 AI regulations, China has over 100 AI policies and the European Union launched its AI4EU initiative in 2019 with a €20 million budget.

“Kenya cannot afford to be left behind in this race. The question is not the cost of doing it, but the cost of not doing it,” he warned.

He also raised concerns that global AI systems are primarily developed in English and other dominant languages, leaving African cultures at risk of exclusion.

“If we do not feed our culture and languages into these algorithms, then we are excluded from the Fourth Industrial Revolution without even knowing it,” he cautioned.

Hon. Kiarie urged Parliament to act proactively, stressing that the AI revolution is already underway.

“This revolution is not ten years away. We must act now to ensure Kenya harnesses the benefits of AI while safeguarding its people from the risks,” he said.