At the UN, heads of Anthropic and OpenAI discuss risks

Nairobi, Kenya — On September 22, 2026, Kenya and the artificial intelligence firm Anthropic signed a Joint Declaration outlining a framework for cooperative efforts in responsible AI development, research, and practical applications suited to the country's priorities. The signing ceremony took place in New York, during the 81st United Nations General Assembly session.

Dr. Abraham Korir Sing’Oei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Kenya, and Elizabeth Kelly, Anthropic's Head of Beneficial Deployments, were the official signatories. The collaboration will encompass AI skills development, research, ensuring responsible public-sector applications, AI safety and evaluation, and locally relevant use cases in education and healthcare.

The framework allows individual Kenyan ministries, departments, and agencies to devise specific programs and partnerships with Anthropic. Dr. Philip Thigo, Kenya's Special Envoy on Technology, and Courtney O’Donnell, Anthropic's Global Impact Lead, were present during the signing. The framework emphasizes data protection and adherence to Kenyan laws, guaranteeing that data processing and use under future programs will adhere to Kenyan regulations, including data-protection, cybersecurity, and public-sector requirements.

The agreement ensures that government data remains under Kenyan control. Dr. Thigo highlighted the partnership's aim to bolster Kenya's local AI expertise, foster responsible technology development, and use AI to advance the nation’s institutions and promote inclusive growth. The cooperation will be overseen by the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, collaborating with other relevant government bodies.

The framework also acknowledges the need to bolster Africa's capacity to engage in the development, evaluation, and governance of advanced AI systems, including supporting local research and building necessary technical and institutional capabilities. The agreement, however, does not specify immediate projects but rather sets the stage for the creation of pilot programs, institutional partnerships, research initiatives, and capacity-building initiatives in collaboration with relevant government entities.

The partnership aligns with Kenya's broader technology diplomacy strategies, aiming to forge ties with technology companies, research institutions, and governments while enhancing the nation's capability to participate in and lead the development and deployment of emerging technologies. For Anthropic, this agreement offers a platform to engage with Kenyan institutions, while for the Kenyan Government, the emphasis lies on developing local AI skills and research capabilities, exploring viable public-sector AI applications, and ensuring that AI's future use aligns with the country's legal and data-governance framework.