This archive report was first published on 9 August 2019.
Published on August 9, 2019, by Nerima Wako-Ojiwa, executive director of Siasa Place, a think tank focused on governance and politics in East Africa.
As Kenyans grapple with the challenges of their human leaders, a growing number are fantasizing about the possibility of having an artificial intelligence (AI) leader. While this may seem like a far-fetched idea, it highlights the deep-seated frustration and disillusionment with the current state of politics in Kenya.
According to Wako-Ojiwa, the appeal of an AI leader lies in its potential to be more efficient, cost-effective, and responsive to the needs of the people. 'For Kenya, AI would probably cost less to manage... that's already a positive,' she notes.
However, as Wako-Ojiwa astutely observes, an AI leader would also have its own set of challenges and limitations. 'They would be able to tap into the human mind, find out what our interests are, our fears, what we feel drawn to and what we want to hear,' she says. 'They would be able to use these algorithms that we already see being used on our social media sites.'
Wako-Ojiwa's commentary raises important questions about the potential consequences of AI leadership, including the possibility of AI leaders being dishonest or out of touch with the needs of their constituents. 'What would the AI candidate intelligence say if it were to speak at a rally? It would support the majority perhaps. Or would it depend on the audience it was speaking to? How would it choose a particular stand?'
As Wako-Ojiwa notes, the rise of xenophobia and the increasing polarization of societies around the world are symptoms of a deeper issue - economic instability and inequality. 'The number of refugees taking journeys that can result in their deaths, risking their lives around the world for better opportunities, goes to show that a country's stability, economically and politically, plays a major role in the way groups are organising today.'
Ultimately, Wako-Ojiwa's commentary serves as a reminder that the challenges facing Kenya and the world are complex and multifaceted. While an AI leader may seem like a panacea for the country's problems, it is essential to consider the potential consequences of such a scenario and to work towards creating a more just and equitable society for all.
