Kenyan information technology (IT) professionals have voiced their opposition to the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Association Bill 2023, urging the country's parliament to reject it due to various perceived flaws. Reports from local media indicate that during a meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Communications, Information, and Innovation commemorating International Internet Security Day 2024, stakeholders in the artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics sectors expressed their unwillingness to engage in the bill's drafting process.
The bill, if passed, would categorize entities not registered with the Robotics Society of Kenya (RSK) as illegitimate. It proposes penalties for unlicensed robotics and AI business operations, including fines of up to 1 million Kenyan shillings ($6,269), potential imprisonment for two years, or both, as stipulated by the RSK. The RSK is envisioned as a regulatory body tasked with overseeing and fostering advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, collaborating with other authorities to establish regulations ensuring compliance and advising the government on emerging trends in the field.
Alex Gakuru, director of the Kenya Information Technology Law Center and president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, emphasized during the meeting that the bill should be withdrawn for further consultation with stakeholders. Gakuru pointed out that the current version of the bill lacks comprehensive provisions addressing artificial intelligence, focusing primarily on regulating the robotics industry. He cautioned that the poorly drafted bill could face legal challenges without necessary revisions.
Despite Kenya ranking fifth in Africa for its readiness to implement artificial intelligence in public service delivery, according to the annual Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index 2022 by Oxford Insights, the country's overall score of 40.36% trails behind Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia, and Morocco. Microsoft's Middle East and Africa Artificial Intelligence Outlook report revealed that Kenya has invested approximately 13 billion shillings ($81.5 million) in artificial intelligence over the past decade, significantly less than South Africa's $1 billion and Nigeria's $378 million investments.
