Artificial Intelligence can be used for good, guard against its dangers

AI can also help businesses and researchers develop solutions and improve decision-making, such as through analysis and imaging that can help specialists see and access things that cannot be seen by human eye. It also helps persons with disabilities access things they otherwise would not. Since it is not human, it arrives at unbiased decisions unless the data used to train it or inputted in it is not representative or is biased since it only produces results based on what is fed to it.

AI also provides a level of convenience not humanly possible because when charged/connected, it can work throughout. It can perform tasks faster and more accurately than humans, who can be fatigued or distracted. Unfortunately, because AI is controlled by humans, it can be manipulated, weaponised, politicised and used to spread disinformation and attacks, repeat and exacerbate human racism, discrimination, hate and harm like bullying, trawling.

It can also be used for unethical conduct or behaviour. Our social media is awash with manipulated information that sometimes is not true. AI is difficult to balance and it can run out control. It can be misused to create misinformation, political propaganda, violence, war and even steal identity or exploit financial information.

AI users tend to be convinced of its abilities but experts say it can be unreliable or inaccurate and its use can result in violation of human rights, beyond disclosing personal data, invasion of privacy by over-collecting personal information. It can also be used to create safety and security concerns by creating unsafe decisions or outputs. I have seen several clearly manipulated videos.

For example, if you have watched the inauguration of President Trump and then later saw manipulated videos of what he is alleged to have said and compare it with what he actually said, you would be shocked at how AI can be distorted clearly demonstrating the negative uses of AI. I believe we need an objective and dispassionate conversation about the use of AI in Kenya.

We must however, balance control and regulation to ensure the government does not stifle basic freedoms and liberties. Any law that seeks to control or regulate the use of internet, AI and other technologies must ensure compliance with the Constitution and the law. The Constitution explicitly provides for every person’s right to inherent dignity and to have that dignity respected and protected, freedom and security of the person, privacy, freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion, and freedom of expression.

The Constitution guarantees everyone access to information and the freedom and independence of electronic, print and all other types of media so long as these rights are exercised in compliance with the law and do not violate other people’s rights.

The negative manipulation of AI affects everyone; today it is me and tomorrow it will be you depending on which side of the political divide we are. The best thing for Kenya is to make legislation that regulates and balances the use of AI and technology for good and for posterity.