UNGA 81: What new global AI rules could mean for Kenya’s jobs, data and digital economy

As global leaders convene for the 81st United Nations General Assembly, artificial intelligence (AI) has risen to the forefront of discussions surrounding the future of the global economy, governance, and development. For Kenya, the conversation extends beyond simply regulating a rapidly expanding technology. The debate holds the potential to shape how the nation safeguards data, prepares its workforce for AI-driven transformations, attracts investments, and ensures that local businesses reap the benefits of this burgeoning technology.

Joseph Waneng, the President of the 81st UN General Assembly, has identified digital governance and AI as priority areas, advocating for developing countries to play a more significant role in establishing international rules governing data, digital rights, and online platforms. With more than one billion people utilizing conversational AI weekly and one in four workers globally exposed to generative AI, the international framework expected to emerge during UN deliberations will likely focus on critical issues such as access to AI infrastructure and skills, data protection, safety, accountability, human oversight, and the equitable distribution of AI's benefits.

Kenya's ambitions to become a regional hub for AI innovation intersect directly with these concerns. The country launched its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025-2030 in March 2025, which emphasizes AI infrastructure, data, research and innovation, skills development, governance, and investment. A pressing question for Kenya is the implications of AI on employment.

The UN General Assembly has highlighted youth employment as a specific concern, emphasizing the need to prepare workers for roles that complement AI technologies rather than compete directly with them. The Kenyan government is already pivoting its focus towards translating AI investments into tangible gains for Kenyans, including employment opportunities and business growth.

Another critical issue for Kenya is data governance, particularly concerning the control and utilization of data essential for developing and operating AI systems. AI systems demand vast amounts of data, which may include sensitive information from healthcare, financial services, education, government operations, and digital platforms.

The UN's proposed approach aims to enhance access to AI capacity, infrastructure, data, and skills while fortifying safeguards, accountability, and human oversight. This emphasis on data governance could prove vital as Kenya expands its digital economy.

The global AI race is also driving demand for computing infrastructure, data centers, electricity, connectivity, and skilled workers. A UN report indicates that the swift proliferation of AI is catalyzing investments in computing and storage capacity, bandwidth, and power infrastructure. Nations lagging in AI adoption risk falling behind in production and trade.

For Kenya, this represents an opportunity to position itself as an African destination for AI investments. The country could attract technology companies, AI startups, data infrastructure providers, cloud services, digital financial services, and AI applications tailored to sectors such as agriculture and healthcare. However, this prospect hinges on Kenya's ability to furnish the requisite infrastructure, skills, reliable power, and a conducive regulatory environment.

AI's influence is permeating sectors central to Kenya's economy. At the UN's Global Dialogue on AI Governance in July 2026, Kenya was highlighted as an example of leveraging AI to provide farmers with planting schedules optimized for maximum harvests. Such applications have the potential to expand into areas like weather forecasting, crop disease detection, irrigation management, soil analysis, and market forecasting.

The UN's AI agenda underscores agriculture, healthcare, education, energy, and job creation as areas where scientific and technological advancements could expedite development. For Kenya, a pivotal economic query is whether the nation will primarily consume AI systems developed abroad or cultivate more of its own technology. Kenya's AI Strategy aims to bolster local research, innovation, and commercialization while concurrently building infrastructure and a skilled workforce.

As global AI regulations take shape, this objective could assume greater significance. If international standards dictate data access, AI model deployment, and digital service operation across borders, these rules could impact Kenyan startups and technology firms seeking international market access. The UN General Assembly discussions unfolding at UNGA 81 present Kenya with a dual challenge: participating in the formulation of emerging global AI rules while ensuring that its domestic AI strategy yields tangible benefits in terms of jobs, investment, innovation, and enhanced public services.