Kenya Technology Envoy Warns AI Will Displace Unskilled Workers

Kenya's Special Envoy on Technology, Philip Thigo, warned that artificial intelligence will inevitably lead to job losses and urged citizens to adapt by integrating AI into their professional skills. Speaking on Capital in the Morning, Thigo stated that individuals who do not combine their current job skills with AI will be displaced.

While noting that Kenya ranks first in AI usage relative to its population, Thigo argued the country must move beyond simple adoption. He advocated for creating economic value through investments in local capital, research, and digital infrastructure. He specifically encouraged innovators to adopt a glocal mindset by targeting international markets from within Kenya.

Thigo also highlighted significant societal risks, including the loss of human agency and child safety concerns. He called for a national conversation on protecting children and the implementation of shared computing infrastructure to reduce costs for sectors such as agriculture. He warned that failure to reskill segments of the population could deepen existing inequality.