Nairobi: The government is set to integrate Artificial Intelligence into its civil servant training programs in order to improve public service efficiency in the digital age.
According to Kenya News Agency, this transformative step for public service, aimed at enhancing overall service delivery, will be actualized once the Regional Centre of Competence for Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) Skilling at the Kenya School of Government commences its operations.
During a meeting held at the Ministry of Public Service and Human Capital Development offices on Friday, the initiative was marked as a key point of discussion between Principal Secretary for Information Communication and Technology and Digital Economy, John Tanui, and Principal Secretary for Public Service and Human Capital Development, Jane Kere Imbunya.
The Principal Secretaries examined the center's potential to drive Kenya's digital diplomacy efforts, particularly in fostering innovation and improving regional and international cooperation in cutting-edge technologies.
The two principals focused on expediting the AI center's launch and establishing a smooth process for its effective setup and activation.
With substantial backing from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the center's establishment aims to create a strategic hub for cultivating digital and AI expertise throughout the public sector.
To improve service delivery, Kenya's public service has been embracing digital transformation, with ministries increasingly integrating technology into their operations.
By providing training in emerging technologies, AI applications, and data-driven governance, the AI Skilling Centre seeks to close the skills gap among government employees.
The Principal Secretaries emphasized that expedited operational and implementation frameworks are crucial for the center's timely launch, allowing it to begin yielding a tangible impact across the public service.
This initiative mirrors a growing global movement, where governments are increasingly adopting and investing in AI to modernize their governance structures and service delivery.