First Lady Rachel Ruto’s employee lands top UN Artificial Intelligence position
The United Nations launched an Artificial Intelligence Advisory Body and it is set to have its first meeting today, October 27, 2023. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced the UN AI Body will support the international community’s efforts to govern artificial intelligence.
“For developing economies, AI offers the possibility of leapfrogging outdated technologies and bringing services directly to people who need them most. The transformative potential of AI for good is difficult even to grasp. And without entering into a host of doomsday scenarios, it is already clear that the malicious use of AI could undermine trust in institutions, weaken social cohesion and threaten democracy itself,” said Mr Guterres.
To that end, an Advisory Body consisting of experts from governments, private sector, research community, civil society and academia was brought together to build ” a global scientific consensus on risks and challenges, harness AI for the Sustainable Development Goals and strengthen international cooperation on AI governance.”
Among the UN AI Advisory Body members is Philip Thigo, a Kenyan who is an adviser to President William Ruto and the Kenya Kwanza government. He is also an employee of First Lady Rachel Ruto as he is the Chairperson of her Mama Doing Good organization.
According to his short biography on the UN’s AI Advisory Body website, Mr Thigo is an expert in Technology and Public Policy as well as an external consultant for the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
“Philip significantly contributes to Kenya’s policy framework for the 4th Industrial Revolution, co-chairing the technical working group on Emerging Technology and Data Governance for Kenya’s ICT Sector Reforms, the technical lead for Kenya’s engagement with the Open Government Partnership and the Global Partnership on Sustainable Development Data,” added the biography.
The biography went on, “His commitment extends to multiple advisory roles, including NASA’s Earth Science Division on Earth Observations for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Digital Earth Africa. He serves as the Sub-Regional Ambassador for the Global Blockchain Business Council and also chairs the acclaimed MtotoNews digital platform for children.”
Mr Thigo was named among the World’s 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government by Apolitical in 2018 and Top 100 Most Influential Leader in Technology and Telecommunications in 2023.
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