Kenya is on the brink of a Generative AI (GenAI) transformation, with business leaders expressing optimism about the technology’s potential to reshape industries and drive innovation. At the NTT DATA Clients Innovation Day in Nairobi, Chris Wiggett, Head of Artificial Intelligence, Data, and Analytics at NTT DATA in the Middle East and Africa, emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to realizing GenAI’s potential in Kenya and the East African region. However, to fully capitalize on this groundbreaking technology, Kenya must address challenges such as legacy infrastructure, skills shortages, and regulatory gaps.
Wiggett pointed out that Kenyan organizations have a unique opportunity to lead the digital transformation in Africa. By investing in infrastructure, skills development, and ethical frameworks, businesses can unlock immense value and drive sustainable innovation. While enthusiasm for GenAI adoption is high, with 100 percent of CEOs expecting a material impact on their operations, challenges like outdated systems and a lack of skilled workforce remain substantial barriers to success.
NTT DATA’s Global GenAI report reveals that outdated systems are a significant obstacle, with 96 percent of respondents identifying them as a hindrance to effective deployment. Additionally, 74 percent of CEOs acknowledged the skills gap, with many workers lacking the necessary expertise to effectively use GenAI tools. The report further underscores the importance of cloud-based solutions, with 100 percent of CIOs and CTOs endorsing their role in enabling scalable and efficient GenAI deployments.
However, Wiggett cautioned that misaligned strategies continue to limit the return on investment. Despite the growing enthusiasm for GenAI, 63 percent of organizations have yet to integrate GenAI initiatives into their broader business plans. This lack of alignment is a critical barrier to achieving the full potential of GenAI in the country.
Ethical considerations and regulatory clarity also emerged as key concerns. While 85 percent of survey respondents emphasized the need to balance innovation with responsibility, 60 percent of organizations admitted to lacking formal GenAI usage policies. This creates gaps in areas such as intellectual property protection and raises concerns about unclear government regulations, which 64 percent of organizations see as a significant challenge to their GenAI strategies.
Despite these challenges, there remains high optimism about GenAI’s transformative potential. Over half of Kenya’s CEOs expect significant organizational transformation through GenAI investments within the next year. The Clients Innovation Day demonstrated the immense potential of GenAI across various industries, from personalized services to research and development, highlighting Kenya’s opportunity to lead the way in leveraging this transformative technology.
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