By: Nana Appiah Acquaye
Kenya has joined global
efforts to strengthen the protection of children’s rights in the age of
artificial intelligence, with President William Ruto co-hosting the launch of
the 2026–2027 Roadmap for Children’s Rights and Protection in the Age of AI at
the United Nations General Assembly.
President Ruto co-hosted the
initiative with French President Emmanuel Macron, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro
Sanchez and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with European
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and other global leaders also participating.
Kenya’s Special Envoy on
Technology, Ambassador Philip Thigo, said the agenda is particularly important
for Africa, where children access and experience technology differently while
artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a gateway to education,
knowledge, creativity and opportunity.
Thigo said expanding access
must go hand in hand with making technology safer by design, strengthening
accountability and protecting children’s rights, dignity and agency.
The 2026–2027 roadmap
provides a framework for advancing discussions and action around children’s
rights and protection as artificial intelligence and other digital technologies
become increasingly embedded in everyday life.
For Africa, the discussions
are particularly relevant as governments and other stakeholders consider how to
ensure that children can benefit from emerging technologies while being
protected from potential risks.
Thigo said the initiative
brought together colleagues from France, Spain and Australia, alongside other
global leaders, to advance the agenda on children’s rights and protection in
the age of AI.
He said Kenya would continue
advancing the work nationally, across Africa and globally, as part of efforts
to ensure that technological development protects children while expanding
their access to opportunities created by digital technologies.
