The global debate over AI warfare is coming to Nairobi

As I walked through the streets of Nairobi, I couldn't help but think about the city's reputation for innovation and its growing importance in the global tech scene. But on my mind was a different kind of innovation, one that is often shrouded in controversy and has the potential to reshape the very fabric of warfare. The debate over artificial intelligence (AI) in warfare is no longer a distant concern, but a pressing reality that is slowly making its way to Nairobi.

The Fourth Summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM), set to take place in April 2027, is scheduled to be hosted in Kenya. This summit is the world's leading forum on military AI governance, bringing together governments, defence officials, technology companies, and researchers to discuss the military applications of AI. For the first time, an African country will be at the forefront of these discussions, and Nairobi will be the stage for these critical conversations.

The use of AI in warfare is accelerating at a pace that is outpacing the development of rules to govern it. This is not just a concern in the military domain; it's a reality that extends to other sectors like finance, healthcare, and education. AI adoption has outpaced the creation of comprehensive legislation to govern its use, leaving a governance gap that is being felt across the world.

Militaries are already using AI to analyse intelligence, identify potential targets, coordinate logistics, monitor cyber threats, and support battlefield decision-making. Autonomous drones have become a defining feature of modern conflicts, from Ukraine to the Middle East. Defence planners increasingly view AI as a strategic capability on par with satellites, cyber weapons, and advanced missile systems.

Africa is largely absent from the development of these technologies, but it will not be absent from their consequences. That reality is a critical factor in Kenya's appointment as the host of the REAIM summit. Previous summits have been held in The Hague, Seoul, and A Coruña, but this time, an African country will help shape discussions around technologies that will have a profound impact on the continent.

Kenya's special envoy on technology, Phillip Thigo, has been at the forefront of these discussions. In a LinkedIn post, he mentioned meeting Reto Wollenmann, deputy head of Swiss Section for Arms Control and Disarmament, to explore how Kenya can build practical connections between the REAIM process and the AI Action Summit. Thigo's vision is to create concrete implementation pathways that will shape the future of AI governance in Africa.

• The Fourth Summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM) will be hosted in Kenya in April 2027.
• The summit is the world's leading forum on military AI governance.
• AI adoption has outpaced the creation of comprehensive legislation to govern its use.
• Militaries are already using AI to analyse intelligence, identify potential targets, coordinate logistics, monitor cyber threats, and support battlefield decision-making.
• Autonomous drones have become a defining feature of modern conflicts.

As the REAIM summit approaches, Nairobi will be at the centre of a global debate that has the potential to reshape the future of warfare. It's a conversation that requires careful consideration, nuanced understanding, and a commitment to responsible innovation. The world will be watching as Africa takes its first steps in shaping the future of AI governance, and I will be watching from Nairobi, eager to see the impact that this summit will have on the continent.

The stakes are high, and the consequences of getting it wrong are dire. But with Kenya at the forefront of these discussions, there is hope that Africa can create a new narrative for AI governance, one that prioritises human security, accountability, and transparency. It's a chance for the continent to reclaim its narrative and shape the future of AI in a way that serves its people, not just the interests of powerful nations.