Experts weight in on AI’s promises and risks

Francis Mureithi, Radio Africa Group Digital Editor, identified misinformation and disinformation as key risks

by ELISHA SINGIRA

Health17 March 2025 - 22:57

In Summary

Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, acknowledged the disruptive power of AI, stating that technology today is not what it was even a decade ago.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming human operations across industries, streamlining workflows, enhancing decision-making and redefining efficiency globally.

It is revolutionising sectors such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and journalism. Businesses and governments are leveraging AI-driven innovations to boost productivity, improve customer experiences and tackle pressing challenges, according to experts.

Speaking at a recent forum organized by the Editors Guild in Nairobi, Ambassador Philip Thigo, Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology, acknowledged the disruptive power of AI, stating that technology today is not what it was even a decade ago.

He said: "Anybody with a phone in 2025 has one of the most powerful gadgets even more powerful than the computer that sent the first Apollo mission to the moon."

This shift, he noted, is accelerating global interconnectivity, changing business models and reshaping how information is consumed and disseminated.

The ambassador emphasised that AI is already embedded in everyday life, often without people realising it. "If you have ever borrowed a loan using a mobile lending app or used an autocomplete function while browsing, you've interacted with AI," he said. He further noted that AI is altering traditional job structures, enabling individuals to perform tasks that once required entire teams. "One person today can operate like a company, doing what previously took 10 or 15 people," he pointed out.

However, despite its advantages, AI also brings significant concerns. Ambassador Thigo outlined challenges that must be addressed to ensure ethical and inclusive AI integration. A primary issue is the widening digital divide. "Only 28 per cent of the region is online, meaning the other percentage is nowhere," he stated, pointing to disparities in AI accessibility that could increase global inequalities.

Francis Mureithi, Radio Africa Group Digital Editor, identified misinformation and disinformation as key risks of AI-powered technologies. He said, "the platforms are built to spread more negative news and misinformation than positive or correct news. This contributes to rising social disconnect and distrust in institutions, further complicating governance and public discourse.”

He further said, “AI is biased when it comes to the interpretation of issues it is prompted to solve. It gives subjective conclusions without considering the facts. It also lacks emotional intelligence thus making it possible that some information it generates maybe perceived negatively and not acceptable by human standards of communication.”

Despite these challenges, Ambassador Thigo stressed that AI should not be feared but rather embraced responsibly. He urged institutions to adopt agile policies and upskill their workforce to stay relevant in an AI-driven world. "If you do not have these core skills this year in your newsrooms, start thinking, otherwise, you will be left behind," he advised media professionals.

To mitigate AI’s risks, Thigo called for anticipatory regulations that adapt to the fast-paced digital landscape. "Technology doesn’t move linearly. If you wait to create policies the traditional way, you will be overtaken and disrupted," he warned, citing industries like transportation, where traditional taxi businesses were disrupted by riding apps like Uber.

In his concluding remarks, he noted that while AI presents immense opportunities for progress, it also demands proactive governance, ethical considerations, and inclusive digital strategies.