March 2023 - KICTANet

Re: [kictanet] New Cabinet - Wish List ?
by Barrack Otieno 18 Jul '24

18 Jul '24

Listers, This is indeed good news. We have a lot of hope in Mucheru and Victor Kyalo industry veterans who have indeed worked their way through the trenches. Most importantly we hope to see the return of a multi stakeholder form of engagement in the sector which we have been yearning for in a while. I think as a sector we might need to prepare a wish list for our new leaders and most importantly commit to work with them towards achieving their mandate. The reshuffle is timely still it comes at the end of the year and will allow us to start 2016 on a new slate. Thank you Best Regards On 11/24/15, GG via kictanet <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > +1 Grace. > > Sending them positive energy! And glad that the two were among the KICTANet > founders. > Rgds. > > --- Original Message --- > > From: "Grace Mutung'u (Bomu) via kictanet" <kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> > Sent: 24 November 2015 22:35 > To: ggithaiga(a)hotmail.com > Cc: "Grace Mutung'u (Bomu)" <nmutungu(a)gmail.com> > Subject: Re: [kictanet] New Cabinet > > One of the issues (I think issue no.3) in the President's speech was > accessibility of leaders to wananchi. With Joe and Kyalo I think we shall > have better ears. > > Congratulations! > > May they pass the vetting. > > Regards, > On 24 Nov 2015 21:29, "Evans Ikua via kictanet" < > kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: > >> @Ngigi you are right. But in the current dispensation, a CS is still >> expected to be a technocrat, as opposed to the days of yore when minister >> was politician. So they will both be at home in their respective >> positions. >> Especially Victor as the accounting officer with his many years in >> government. That's the right position. >> >> Evans >> On Nov 24, 2015 9:17 PM, "Waithaka Ngigi" <ngigi(a)at.co.ke> wrote: >> >>> Evans, >>> >>> Joe Mucheru & Victor Kyalo are old hands in. KE ICT. Both have been >>> entrepreneurs and then at some point moved on to various ventures. So we >>> shouldn't go wrong ‎with either. >>> >>> However, what's the better fit? Mucheru at CS, Victor at PS or the other >>> way round? Victor CS, Mucheru PS? >>> >>> Waithaka Ngigi >>> >>> Alliance Technologies >>> www.at.co.ke >>> *From: *Evans Ikua via kictanet >>> *Sent: *Tuesday, November 24, 2015 8:50 PM >>> *To: *Ngigi Waithaka >>> *Reply To: *KICTAnet ICT Policy Discussions >>> *Cc: *Evans Ikua >>> *Subject: *Re: [kictanet] New Cabinet >>> >>> Congrats Hon Joe! That's a great choice for the ICT industry. Well out >>> H.E. >>> >>> Ikua >>> On Nov 24, 2015 8:45 PM, "waudo siganga via kictanet" < >>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke> wrote: >>> >>>> Congratulations to Joe Mucheru! >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> kictanet mailing list >>>> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >>>> >>>> Unsubscribe or change your options at >>>> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/ikua.evans%40gmail.com >>>> >>>> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >>>> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >>>> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >>>> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and >>>> development. >>>> >>>> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >>>> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and >>>> bandwidth, >>>> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, >>>> do >>>> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >>>> >>> >>> >> _______________________________________________ >> kictanet mailing list >> kictanet(a)lists.kictanet.or.ke >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/listinfo/kictanet >> >> Unsubscribe or change your options at >> https://lists.kictanet.or.ke/mailman/options/kictanet/nmutungu%40gmail.com >> >> The Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet) is a multi-stakeholder platform >> for people and institutions interested and involved in ICT policy and >> regulation. The network aims to act as a catalyst for reform in the ICT >> sector in support of the national aim of ICT enabled growth and >> development. >> >> KICTANetiquette : Adhere to the same standards of acceptable behaviors >> online that you follow in real life: respect people's times and >> bandwidth, >> share knowledge, don't flame or abuse or personalize, respect privacy, do >> not spam, do not market your wares or qualifications. >> > -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/

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Update: Kenya's Cyber Diplomacy at the UN (Policy Brief)
by David Indeje 27 Jul '23

27 Jul '23

[image: Policy Brief.jpg] Dear Listers, Last year, KICTANet made a statement during the Third Substantive Session of the Open-Ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies 2021-2025, UN Headquarters, New York. Our statement "Open-Ended Working Group on Security of and in the Use of Information and Communications Technologies 2021-2025" was read by Ms Grace Githaiga, Convenor, KICTANet, which can be found here https://bit.ly/3SVW03u . Today, we share our policy brief, which: "Looks at the relevant cyber diplomacy developments within the UN with a focus on Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security, which concluded its work in March 2021. It provides an introduction to the power dynamics that sets the stage and deciphers Kenya’s positioning within the field of nations." The link to download is https://bit.ly/3SVW03u -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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Kenya IGF 2023- Call For Topics
by Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu 05 Apr '23

05 Apr '23

Good afternoon, Following the announcement that Kenya IGF 2023 will be held on Thursday 22nd June 2023 and the series of events from 19th -22nd of June that all make up the IGF Week, we the Multi Advisory Group (MAG) that assists in the coordination of IGF hereby make a call for topics to be discussed throughout the IGF week. The topics should be based on the global IGF sub themes as well as any other contemporary topics that form key internet governance concerns in Kenya. As earlier advised, the theme for Kenya IGF 2023 will mirror the global IGF theme “'The Internet We Want - Empowering All People''. The Subthemes will be centered around 1. AI & Emerging Technologies 2. Cybersecurity, Cybercrime, and Online Safety 3. Data Governance and Trust 4. Digital Divides and Inclusion 5. Human Rights and Freedoms 6. Sustainability & Environment Some other themes to consider will be 7. Avoid Internet Fragmentation 8. Global Digital Governance and Cooperation We hereby seek your input on proposed topics and we shall close this on Monday the 27th of March. We look forward to your collaboration, insights and to a fantastic 2023 Kenya IGF! Kind regards, Rosemary Koech-Kimwatu KICTANET MAG Chair

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Data Protectors Podcast - Episode 1
by David Indeje 04 Apr '23

04 Apr '23

[image: Speakers - Instagram.png] Dear Listers, The first episode of the #DataProtectorsPodcast touches on data protection principles and how small businesses and organisations can integrate them into their operations. In this episode, Our speakers Liesa Borghaert and Mercy Mutindi delve into the seven data protection principles: (1) lawfulness, fairness, and transparency; (2) purpose limitation; (3) storage limitation; (4) data minimalisation; (5) accuracy; (6) integrity and confidentiality; and (7) accountability. Most importantly, they provide practical advice on how to incorporate these principles into organisations’ day-to-day operations. Produced by the Kenyan think tank KICTANET and the Digital Transformation Center (DTC) Kenya, in collaboration with the Nairobi Legal Hackers network, the Data Protectors Podcast brings together Kenyan and European experts to explore different aspects of data protection compliance, share lessons learned, and identify opportunities created with the enactment of the DPA and the GDPR. https://soundcloud.com/au-eu-d4d-hub/data-protectors-podcast-1-principles-o… -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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Opportunity: Digital Resilience Fellow
by David Indeje 31 Mar '23

31 Mar '23

Dear Listers, Tatua Digital Resilience Centre seeks to onboard a Digital Resilience Fellow who will be responsible for supporting Social Justice Organisations in East Africa’s cyber security audit program. The Tatua Digital Resilience Centre supports social justice organisations in East Africa, to maintain, grow, change, recover and survive in a changing environment by implementing effective digital strategies. 📅 Deadline: 10 April 2023 🚨Apply now. http://bit.ly/3G4rMq5 -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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Survey: Events Networking Experience
by Samuel Waithaka 30 Mar '23

30 Mar '23

Dear Listers, We are trying to understand people's networking experiences during events, kindly help us by filling out this very short survey (3 questions): https://forms.gle/ponBSdaV12YmPJXn8 We will appreciate your insights. -- Samuel Waithaka Cell: +254 720 317929 | +254 770 451280 http://twitter.com/samwaithaka

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Should Kenya do the same? International Best Practices on Data Localisation
by David Indeje 30 Mar '23

30 Mar '23

Dear Listers, Where should data of strategic national importance be located, and why should that be important? Note: Data localization refers to the practice of keeping data within the region it originated from. For example, if an organization collects data in Kenya, they store it in Kenya rather than transferring it to another country for processing. Latest reflections on this particular subject. Data Localization: What Are The Issues? | KICTANet Think Tank <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/data-localization-what-are-the-issues/> -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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AFRNIC is Currently on its Deathbed!!
by David Indeje 28 Mar '23

28 Mar '23

[image: image.png] Dear Listers, "Effectively, AFRINIC is now on autopilot and seemingly drifting towards serious headwinds by the end of June 2023 when the tenure of the current few Board Members ends – while the replacement mechanism remains injuncted by court orders and other innuendos. AFRNIC is currently on its deathbed, and the worst bit is that no one seems to care." More on why this should wake us up https://bit.ly/3Jmn9sc -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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Election Technology and Electoral Justice In Kenya
by Victor Kapiyo 28 Mar '23

28 Mar '23

Dear Listers, ICJ Kenya recently produced a technical brief on Election Technology and Electoral Justice In Kenya. The brief considers the steps taken in the integration of election technology. It also assesses the context of integration of election technology and the impetus provided by the standards provided under the Constitution of Kenya 2010. The brief notes the historical uncertainty in the management of free and fair elections, the high constitutional standards, and the essence and substance of technology in election management. It recognizes the opportunities presented by technology in achieving the principles and objects set in the constitution. It proposes a principle and value-based approach by IEBC and the courts called upon to apply and interpret the legal framework. This brief notes that, in the past, there has been an attitude of election managers to attain bare minimalist compliance with the law. This brief note that the minimalist and full deference to the IEBC in explaining technology failure in 2013 was followed by a more substantive and principle-based consideration in 2017. There are instances where there has been targeted litigation that are clearly intended to curtail the transformative focus of the Constitution in election management and reinforce the minimalist approach. Download brief <https://icj-kenya.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/ELECTION-TECHNOLOGY-AND-EL…> *Victor Kapiyo* Partner | *Lawmark Partners LLP* *Nine Planet Apartments, Nairobi | **Web: www.lawmark.co.ke <http://www.lawmark.co.ke/> * ==================================================== *“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude” Zig Ziglar*

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Re: Call for Applications for GIZ's Generation Digital
by Angela Minayo 28 Mar '23

28 Mar '23

Dear Listers, GIZ has an open call for GenerationDigital! Grant. Its mission is to strengthen education stakeholders in digital ecosystems of 33 African partner countries in terms of promoting digital skills among children and youth. Generation Digital! pursues the digital transformation of the basic education sector on national and regional level. Please find attached the FAQs, Application Forms and Guidelines. All the best! Angela Minayo Program Officer- KICTANet KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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CA notice Protests
by Sidney Ochieng 25 Mar '23

25 Mar '23

Hi all, The CA yesterday issued a warning to several media houses over their coverage of the demonstrations on Monday. It's not posted to their website yet as far as I can tell but it has been posted to their office twitter handle here <https://twitter.com/CA_Kenya/status/1638597216595050515>: https://twitter.com/CA_Kenya/status/1638597216595050515 I'd like to take sometime to explain why I think their statement is wrong: *ALL BROADCASTERS RE: BROADCAST COVERAGE OF DEMONSTRATIONS* So the CA understands these are demonstrations. That's good *Today, the Authority completed a review of Broadcast Coverage of Opposition demonstrations held on 20th March 2023. The Authority has established that at least Six (6) TV stations, namely, Citizen TV, NTV, K24, KBC, TV47 and Ebru TV, provided coverage in a manner that violated the Programming Code. The coverage depicted scenes that could cause panic or incitement to the public, threating peace and cohesion in the country. The Authority has, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law, issued notices to the identified broadcasters to take immediate remedial actions.* *1. Section 33 of the Constitution of Kenya as read together with Section 5B of the Kenya Information and Communication Act, which provide that the constitutionally guaranteed right to Freedom of Expression, does not extend to propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others, or incitement to cause harm or discrimination;* The protests and the actions leading to them have been well covered. The initiator of these protests was the opposition and they made it clear why they were being called was a perceived disputed election, what they saw as poor leadership, and raising cost of living. It is their right as enshrined in the constitution, projected by freedom of speech and by the freedom to demo, picket and present petitions to public bodies. Meanwhile those of us who followed the protests on the various media mentioned by the CA were treated to scenes of people protesting the rising cost of living especially the cost of food. Nowhere was *propaganda for war, incitement to violence, hate speech or advocacy of hatred that constitutes ethnic incitement, vilification of others, or incitement to cause harm or discrimination * *2. Clauses 461 (1) (a) Kenya Information and Communications Act which requires licensed broadcasters to provide responsible and responsive programming that caters for the varied needs and susceptibilities of different sections of the Kenyan community;* Planned and executed nationwide protests I would think is coverage that whole country would be interested in. *3. Clauses 19 (1) (c) and (d) Kenya Information and Communications (Broadcasting) Regulations which requires a licensee to ensure that no broadcasts by its station "glorifies violence or depicts violence in an offensive manner; or is likely to incite, perpetuate hatred, vilify any person or section of the community;* If we were to go by the broadcasts I saw, and of course this could have been biased, the only glorification of violence and depict of it in an offensive manner was done by our police forces. The only report of a death across the entire country on Monday came at the hands of the police in Maseno. In fact it could be said, and has by some media houses, the escalation of violence was by the police. *4. Clause 10.2.1 of the Programming Code which requires broadcasters to take care in coverage of crisis situations so as not to hinder or obstruct efforts by authorities to resolve the situation;* I don't have much to say on this other than can the CA please provide evidence where a boradcastor blocked the police and any other emergency service trying to do their jobs? Or is the implication of this that they can't do their jobs while being recorded or somehow their work is secret and covert? *5. Section 5.8.4 of the Programming Code which states that presentation of news and commentaries must not be done in a way that would create unnecessary panic or alarm;* I'd like specific examples of this. *6. Section 5.8.3 of the Programming Code which states that morbid, violent, sensational or alarming details that are not essential to factual reporting are not permissible* Again. I'd like specific examples of this. *7. Clause 2.4 of the Programming Code which states that broadcasters are responsible for the broadcast materials relayed on their stations, regardless of their source, as well as professional activities of its employees.* This is the only thing in the entire statement I have no issues with. It is reasonable. I very strongly disagree with almost everything in this statement. I understand that some of these laws and policies were put into place after what we went through as a country in 2007/08 but them being used like this is a worrying assault of our freedoms, particularly those of expression. I will be writing to the CA directly and hope that they can bring forth compelling evidence to back otherwise this is a worrying politicisation of an agency that has for the most part done it job and stayed neutral/ -- Warmly, Sidney *Twitter:* @princelySid <https://twitter.com/princelySid>* |* *Github:* princelySid <https://github.com/princelySid> | *Web: *sidneyochieng.co.ke

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#RamadanKareem
by David Indeje 22 Mar '23

22 Mar '23

Dear Listers, We wish all our Muslim brothers and sisters a blessed Ramadan. #RamadanKareem [image: Ramadan.jpeg]

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ARE YOU SCARED? ‘We are a little bit scared’: OpenAI CEO
by David Indeje 21 Mar '23

21 Mar '23

Dear Listers, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the company that developed the controversial consumer-facing artificial intelligence application ChatGPT, has warned <https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/mar/17/openai-sam-altman-artifi…> that the technology comes with real dangers as it reshapes society. *“I’m particularly worried that these models could be used for large-scale disinformation,” Altman said. “Now that they’re getting better at writing computer code, [they] could be used for offensive cyber-attacks.”* What is KICTANet Doing? For KICTANet, M John Walubengo has taken time to look at some of the emerging issues since discourse around ChatGPT emerged. This is inline with our 'Stakeholder engagement" where through this platform, we are able to discuss emerging issues within the ICT sector nationally, regionally and globally with an aim of having an amicable stand on the issues. Below are some of the issues he has written about. 1. AI Driven Profiling Is More Pervasive Than We Think. <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/ai-driven-profiling-is-more-pervasive-than-we-th…> 2. The Darkside of Artificial Intelligence <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/the-darkside-of-artificial-intelligence/> 3. AI – What Are The Legal and Ethical Dimensions <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/ai-what-are-the-legal-and-ethical-dimensions/> 4. ChatGPT – What it is and Why You Should Care <https://www.kictanet.or.ke/chatgpt-what-it-is-and-why-you-should-care/> -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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Re: Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on Child Online Protection
by Angela Minayo 21 Mar '23

21 Mar '23

Hi Listers, I am representing KICTANet in a stakeholder engagement on a national survey on online child protection and safety. The four-day workshop has been convened by Communications Authority of Kenya and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. You can highlight areas of concerns that you would like to be included in the planned survey under this email thread. Finally, I would like to share this insightful report "Disrupting Harm in Kenya: Evidence on online childsexual exploitation and abuse" <https://www.end-violence.org/sites/default/files/2021-10/DH%20Kenya%20Repor…> for more information on the existing statistics on child online abuse and exploitation in Kenya. Angela Minayo Program Officer- KICTANet KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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SAVE THE DATE: Kenya IGF Week 2023
by David Indeje 16 Mar '23

16 Mar '23

Dear Listers, [image: image.png] -- *Kind Regards,* *David Indeje* *KICTANet Communications *_____________________________________ +254 (0) 711 385 945 | +254 (0) 734 024 856 KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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TOR for Report Presentation: Thomson Reuters Foundation
by Lydia Akinyi 10 Mar '23

10 Mar '23

Hello Listers, Greetings from Thomson Reuters Foundation. The Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF) is implementing the Building Resilient and Independent Media Ecosystems in Africa (BRIMEA) Project, a two-year programme seeking to enable more resilient media ecosystems in Kenya, South Africa, and Zambia through a combination of legal and media interventions. The initiative provides journalists and newsrooms with media-related and legal support to strengthen their editorial independence and financial sustainability. In line with this, TRF is developing legal research and providing legal support, while also building the capacity of media practitioners and media organisations, both conventional and digital/social media. The project has conducted research on the legal and regulatory environment in the target countries in addition to research on the legal needs of media practitioners. Insights from these reports will be shared with an audience of lawyers, media support organisations, media associations, and media practitioners in dissemination events in the three countries. TRF seeks a consultant to develop a presentation that focuses on sharing key insights from the legal and regulatory reports from Kenya, South Africa and Zambia as well as the legal needs assessment. The country level reports explore the legal and regulatory framework of the media, including the framework on the regulation of foreign ownership and transparency of ownership of media. The legal needs assessment identifies legal vulnerabilities and needs of both media outlets and individual media practitioners. TRF seeks a consultant to synthesize key themes and identified needs from across the four reports and create a dynamic presentation package that includes speaker notes, a PowerPoint presentation, and suggestions for dynamic delivery from an information sharing perspective. The consultant will also develop a set of discussion questions for group discussion sessions lead by media freedom legal professionals with the group in attendance at the presentation session(s). We are seeking a journalist, lawyer, or academic for this consultancy. Academics may be very well positioned as they’re accustomed to developing and presenting content based on research therefore we are reaching out to you or your colleagues who would be a best fit. The candidate should be familiar with best practices for speaking/communicating information to foster learning, how to develop discussion questions that foster interesting conversation, etc We seek to engage a consultant on a freelance basis, working up to a maximum of 25 hours (subject to agreement) in March 2023. Kindly find attached a detailed TOR for this role. Please note that the deadline has been extended to *15th March 2023. *We are happy for you to apply or share with a wider suitable audience. Kind Regards, Lydia Obiero

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Invite: Stochastic Parrots Day Event March 17
by Mwendwa Kivuva 08 Mar '23

08 Mar '23

Hey all! Thought that some of you and/or your teams might be interested in this event being hosted by Timnit Gebru at DAIR next Friday. Here's the registration page: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stochastic-parrots-day- tickets-524219965027 Besides co-authors Emily M. Bender, Margaret Mitchell and Angelina McMillan-Major, we'll be joined by other scientists, artists, data workers, writers, legal scholars and teachers. We'll also have one of the anonymous kenyan data workers who worked on filtering out Open AI model outputs profiled in this TIME article <https://time.com/6247678/openai-chatgpt-kenya-workers/>. Our guests will be: --my friend of 23 years Belzie Mont-Louis <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAA6LzAoBB9brM7XQdNbH0cqNShkB7thAEuo> who has been teaching middle schoolers 17+ years and knows the impact of these tools on her students, --Prof. Safiya Noble, Ph.D <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safiya_Noble> who you all know, --Prof. Mark Riedl <https://www.cc.gatech.edu/people/mark-riedl> who's research covers generative AI and other ML systems, and can help us dissect the hype (he also created this Stochastic Parrots Hoodie design <https://www.zazzle.com/stochastic_parrot_hoodie-235008422636681607> :) --Nanjala Nyabola <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanjala_Nyabola> who is a writer, researcher and political analyst who wants to get the discussion around regulating AI away from the hype, --Artist Steven Zapata who has written and spoken a lot about the impact of generative AI tools on artists like him and his students (e.g. see his TEDx talk). --Sarah Andrew <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAABBdgmgBrIjgVQhW02p4gqeCiKE2Dl49U-E> of Avaaz <https://secure.avaaz.org/page/en/> who will tell us all about what's going on with the EU's AI Act, --Our DAIR fellow Asmelash Teka Hadgu <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAfxo00BLLOz43bs0xWtb_L4V1mTOGJuUBs> who stated a machine translation company, lesan.ai and has seen firsthand hype vs reality around tools like ChatGPT (you can see his twitter thread + interview here <https://twitter.com/asmelashteka/status/1630966233217605632> about ChatGPT being gibberish in his mother tongue but the hype being harmful to companies like his) --Our fellow Milagros Miceli <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAA6gpFsBk-zLEZpaZyh18CLBDOJLNJkCCY0> who's research on data labor has gotten THREE best paper awards and covered by many outlets, --and most importantly an anonymous data worker who has worked on filtering the outputs of these systems and can tell us first hand what their working conditions were and how doing this work impacted them. Thank you! Timnit [image: agenda.png] -- Best Regards, ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva

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Invitation: Public Participation Forum on Digitisation of Citizen Services
by David Indeje 08 Mar '23

08 Mar '23

Dear Listers, The Government of Kenya plans to digitise at least 5000 government services to enhance government service delivery. The Government has also embarked on developing and installing an end-to-end Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System capable of generating and assigning a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) at birth, which will act as a lifetime identity for newborns. Given the foregoing, and in the spirit of consultative governance, the State Departments has scheduled a public participation forum with relevant stakeholders to share the Government's roadmap to the services. *The public participation forum will be held on Friday, March 10, 2023, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) from 9.00 a.m.* *For Details, see attached:*

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World Hearing Day Through AI Lens
by Florence Awino 03 Mar '23

03 Mar '23

Hi Listers. There have been many ongoing conversations about AI. Today being World Hearing Day, I'd like to highlight the conversation on how AI is enhancing access to information in the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. This write-up in our work as KICTANet ICT Access and Equality for persons with disabilities Fellows lists the following: 1. AI translating sign language to text and speech. 2. AI Avatars that can sign (this is to supplement the shortage of sign language translators) 3. AI-powered hearing aids adjust according to the environment, stream music and sound from the phone, and detect physical activity and location. 4. Automatic Speech Recognition Technology Below is the link you can read on the ways AI works as an assistive technology https://bit.ly/3YbW4gR Best Regards, Florence Awino Ouma <https://www.linkedin.com/in/flo-ouma-profile/> ICT Access and Equality for Persons with Disabilities Fellow, KICTANet

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Fare thee well Francis Wangusi
by Mwendwa Kivuva 02 Mar '23

02 Mar '23

The ICT fraternity mourns the passing of the former Director-General of the Communications Authority of Kenya ( 2012 to 2019). Mr Wangusi joined the then Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK) in 2000 at the level of Assistant Director and rose through the ranks to his current position. He served as the Director in charge of Broadcasting and Special Projects as well as the Director in charge of Licensing, Compliance and Standards. Mr Wangusi oversaw significant milestones in the ICT industry, including the transition to digital television broadcasting, operationalisation of the USF, the National Broadband Strategy, and the sector's exponential growth during his tenure until retirement. He was a key supporter of public participation and graced many KICTANet events. May he rest in peace as we condole with his family, friends, and colleagues. Best Regards, ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva -- Best Regards, ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva, Nairobi, Kenya https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwendwa-kivuva

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Re: International Women's Day on 8th March 2023
by Angela Minayo 01 Mar '23

01 Mar '23

Hi Listers, Its March! For those working on gender related work, we know that International Women's Day is marked on 8th March every year. This year's theme is "DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality". The theme resonates with KICTANet's work over the years in policy advocacy, research, capacity building and stakeholder engagements to mainstream gender in ICTs policy formulation. We will share updates on KICTANet activities to raise awareness on how ICTs hold the key to a more equal society over the next one week and on 8th March 2023. At the same time, please feel free to engage/invite KICTANet in your IWD activities 😊. Here is a snapshot of KICTANet's resources on gender and ICTs 1. Youtube Documentary on Tackling Online Gender Based Violence: https://lnkd.in/dEkB2T_c 2. Podcast on the Online Experiences of Women who vied in the 2022 Elections: https://lnkd.in/diqXkrQW 3. Module 5 of the Digital Enquirer Kit on Online Gender Based Violence available on the Atingi Platform: https://lnkd.in/dwitf4zu 4. Policy Brief on Data Protection from a Gender Perspective: https://lnkd.in/gbty4J_v 5. Comic Strip Advocating for Feminist Internet Principles: https://lnkd.in/dk_siG7i 6. Short Videos for Feminist Internet Principles: https://lnkd.in/dugjH4hV https://lnkd.in/dY47feya https://lnkd.in/dexcVw4X https://lnkd.in/dNYNbkKr 7. A Safe Web for Women Comic Strip: https://lnkd.in/dft3ywgr 8. Comic Strip on Women and Data: https://lnkd.in/dMpPV9B8 Angela Minayo Program Officer- KICTANet KICTANet portals KICTANet.or.ke <https://kictanet.or.ke/> | Twitter <https://twitter.com/kictanet> | LinkedIn <https://www.linkedin.com/company/18428106/admin/> | Facebook <https://www.facebook.com/KICTANet/>

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