Whose Voice Does AI Hear? Kenya Pushes for a More Inclusive African Future

Artificial intelligence is changing how people access information, learn new skills and interact with public services. But as the technology spreads, an important question remains: does it understand the people it is supposed to serve?

That question is at the centre of a new African AI council’s planned examination of how artificial intelligence affects citizens, languages and public life, according to the brief from The Star Kenya.

Beyond the Technology

AI is often discussed in terms of innovation, speed and economic growth. Yet its real value depends on whether ordinary people can use it safely and effectively.

For citizens, AI could make public information easier to access, help businesses work more efficiently and support learning. However, systems that produce inaccurate information or fail to understand local needs could create new barriers instead of removing existing ones.

The council’s work presents an opportunity to examine these challenges and encourage a more people-centred approach to AI development.

Why African Languages Matter

Language is more than a means of communication. It shapes how people understand information, express their needs and participate in society.

When AI tools perform well in some languages but poorly in others, access to their benefits becomes unequal. A person should not have to rely on a language they barely understand to obtain useful digital information.

Improving AI support for African languages could make digital services more accessible to communities that are often overlooked in technology development. It could also help preserve local knowledge and make technology more relevant to different cultural contexts.

However, language inclusion requires more than translating words. AI systems must also recognise context, local expressions and the meanings that can be lost in direct translation.

Trust Must Come First

Accessibility alone is not enough. People also need confidence that AI systems will treat their information responsibly and provide reliable answers.

Concerns about privacy, misinformation, bias and accountability can undermine public confidence. If an AI system makes a mistake that affects someone’s access to a service, citizens should know how to question the outcome and who is responsible.

Building trust will require transparency, appropriate safeguards and public participation in decisions about how AI is developed and used. Communities should not simply be recipients of new technology; their experiences should help shape it