Kenya has signed a Joint Declaration with US artificial intelligence company Anthropic to deepen cooperation on AI skills development, research, safety, and public-sector applications. The declaration was signed in New York on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei signed for Kenya, while Anthropic’s Head of Beneficial Deployments Elizabeth Kelly signed for the company.
The agreement provides a framework for developing AI applications in priority sectors including education and health, while supporting research, capacity building, AI safety, and evaluation. It also provides for collaboration with Kenyan institutions to test and scale AI initiatives in line with Kenyan law. This partnership aims to leverage AI technology to improve public sector services and enhance skills development in Kenya.
According to Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo, the partnership had been shaped by discussions with Anthropic on practical applications of AI in the country. Thigo emphasized that Kenya has an opportunity to help shape a different model for working with frontier AI companies, one built on co-creation, trust, safety by design, local capability, and a shared commitment to improving the human condition.
Thigo revealed that discussions with Anthropic began in June, revolving around AI applications for Kenya’s linguistic diversity, pandemic preparedness, food systems, and learner outcomes. The areas of collaboration explored included health, education, public-sector skills, and research. These discussions laid the groundwork for the joint declaration signed in New York.
The next phase of the partnership will involve developing specific pilots, institutional partnerships, research initiatives, and capacity-building programmes with relevant government agencies. This will enable Kenya to harness the benefits of AI technology and integrate it into various sectors, enhancing efficiency and service delivery.
The partnership between Kenya and Anthropic reflects the growing interest in AI technology and its potential applications in Africa. By collaborating with a leading AI company, Kenya aims to stay at the forefront of technological innovation and leverage AI to drive economic growth and development.
Key aspects of the partnership include the development of AI applications in education and health, research and capacity building, and collaboration with Kenyan institutions to test and scale AI initiatives. The partnership is expected to have a positive impact on Kenya’s public sector and economy, and serve as a model for future collaborations between African countries and frontier AI companies.
Key points
- Kenya and Anthropic partner to develop AI applications in education, health, and public sector.
- The partnership aims to leverage AI technology to improve public sector services and enhance skills development in Kenya.
- The next phase of the partnership will involve developing specific pilots, institutional partnerships, and capacity-building programmes.
