The Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Hon Soipan Tuya, opened the 2025 Africa Regional workshop on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM) on Wednesday at a Nairobi hotel.
The three-day event, co-hosted by the Ministry of Defence in collaboration with partners from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Kingdom of Korea, and the Kingdom of Spain, brought together delegates and military personnel from 17 countries worldwide.
The aim was to collectively discuss ways to localise global AI initiatives, promote capacity-building, and strengthen Africa’s influence in shaping ethical AI governance.
The event was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament (UNIDIR), which aims to enhance Africa’s involvement in responsible military Artificial Intelligence (AI) by leveraging insights, fostering partnerships, and providing policy recommendations.
The key objectives drawn from the discussions included consolidating best practices from recent consultations, advancing regulatory and ethical frameworks for AI in African defence, reinforcing partnerships among governments and research organisations and identifying Africa-specific priorities to ensure AI development supports peace, security and human rights across the continent.
In her remarks, Hon Tuya, stated that the consultation marks a significant step towards the responsible use of AI in the military domain in Africa, emphasising collaboration, ethical frameworks, and the inclusion of diverse stakeholders.
She further stated that the presence of the host nations and 17 African countries is a clear demonstration of Africa’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that AI, one of the most transformative technologies of our time, is developed and applied in ways that promote peace, security and respect for human dignity.
She also emphasised the importance of including youth in discussions about the responsible use of AI, as they are at the forefront of AI innovation.
“Kenya’s role in hosting this consultation for the second consecutive year reflects our nation’s commitment to regional security leadership and our belief in collaborative approaches to emerging challenges. Our success in hosting previous events has strengthened our resolve to continue fostering meaningful dialogue on responsible AI in defence,” she said.
Hon. Tuya stated that the host nations, alongside the 17 African countries, will engage in critical discussions focusing on policy frameworks, practical technical standards, and ethical guidelines. She added that the ongoing discussions will not only be about technology but also about shaping the future of African security, sovereignty and the protection of people.
Additionally, she commended the Kenya Defence Forces for working tirelessly to organise the consultations with exceptional dedication and professionalism.
Major General Joyce Sitienei, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Centre for Security and Strategic Studies at the National Defence University-Kenya (NDU-K), stated that defence universities are at the forefront of ensuring responsible adoption of AI, guided by ethics and societal considerations, to serve the cause of peace and security.
She also added that defence universities are not only centres of learning but also incubators of responsible leadership and innovation.
“NDU-K’s commitment to responsible AI is ensuring that innovation strengthens our security while safeguarding humanity. That is the true measure of leadership,” she said.”
His Excellency, Henk Jan Bakker, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, emphasised the importance of responsible AI development and global collaboration to mitigate risks and ensure AI serves humanity’s shared values. This is highlighted in the regional consultations on responsible AI in the Republic of Korea.
The participating countries during the REAIM Summit included Burundi, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Morocco, Namibia, Rwanda, Senegal, Siera leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
REAIM is an annual event that brings together states, industry, academia, and civil society to share perspectives and build institutions.
The 3rd REAIM Summit will be held in the Republic of Spain, building on previous declarations and emphasising a human-centred approach and multi-stakeholder collaboration.
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