As more Kenyan workers turn to artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT to write reports, serve customers and speed up office tasks, businesses are being warned that unmanaged AI use could expose them to serious data and compliance risks.
Akili AI, a UK and Nairobi-based artificial intelligence company, has launched two new products aimed at helping organisations in Kenya and across Africa understand and govern their use of AI. The tools, Akili Snapshot and Akili Assured, are designed to help companies assess their AI readiness, identify risks and put practical governance structures in place.
The launch comes shortly after African leaders adopted the Nairobi Declaration on 12 May 2026, committing participating countries to promote ethical, responsible and pro-innovation AI governance. Akili AI says its tools are intended to help businesses translate those continental commitments into everyday action.
A key concern is what experts call Shadow AI — the use of AI tools by employees without formal approval, oversight or safeguards from their employer. This can happen when staff paste company documents, customer information, legal material or internal reports into AI platforms without understanding the risks.
According to Akili AI, many organisations that believe they have not deployed AI are already exposed to Shadow AI when assessed independently. The company says this gap could leave businesses vulnerable to misinformation, data loss and breaches of Kenya’s data protection obligations.
Kenya’s high uptake of AI tools adds urgency to the issue. Research cited by Akili AI found that Kenya ranks first globally in ChatGPT adoption by share of internet users, with 42.1 per cent of Kenyan internet users aged 16 and above having used the platform in a single month.
Akili Snapshot is a free online assessment that allows organisations to test their AI readiness in about 15 minutes. It measures maturity across five areas: Shadow AI exposure, usage policy, staff training, accountability structures and risk management. Users receive a maturity score, benchmark comparison and, depending on the tier selected, a more detailed governance report.
The tool also provides an AI Opportunity Map, showing where AI could create value in areas such as customer care, back-office efficiency and revenue growth.
For organisations that need more structured support, Akili Assured offers a managed AI governance programme. It includes AI ethics and usage policies, audit frameworks, risk registers, incident management procedures, employee guidelines, oversight committee structures, compliance calendars and monthly senior management briefings.
Akili AI Chief Executive Simon Bransfield-Garth said informal AI use is already widespread in Kenyan businesses, but often remains unrecognised and unmanaged.
“Snapshot is the practical first step in building responsible AI controls — free, anonymous, and available to any organization in Kenya, Africa, and beyond today,” he said.
The company says the aim is not only to reduce risk, but also to help businesses use AI more confidently. With proper governance, sectors such as healthcare, banking, education, retail and government services could deploy AI tools more ambitiously while protecting users and complying with the law.
For Kenyan businesses, the message is clear: AI is no longer a future issue. It is already being used inside many organisations. The challenge now is to ensure it is used safely, responsibly and in a way that supports growth.
