Faith leaders and tech experts discuss AI ethics in Nairobi

Religious leaders, technology developers, and policymakers gathered in Nairobi on October 13 for the third Faith-AI Covenant roundtable. The event, organized by the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities and the firm Precognition, aimed to establish ethical frameworks for artificial intelligence, with a specific focus on its impact on youth and African digital representation.

Participants, including representatives from the All Africa Conference of Churches and the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya, examined how AI influences moral development and the potential for digital platforms to facilitate radicalization. Discussions also addressed the need for safeguards in educational technology to protect children's emotional well-being.

Baroness Joanna Shields, co-chair of the Faith-AI Covenant, noted that the rapid pace of technological advancement often outstrips the ability of institutions to adapt. The roundtable concluded that faith communities, educators, and technology firms share a collective responsibility to implement interventions that protect young people and ensure digital systems reflect diverse cultural values.