Announcing: Fair Work for AI in Kenya—From Data Workers to Policy
1/15/2025
Announcing: Fair Work for AI in Kenya—From Data Workers to Policy
We are excited to share that our project, Fair Work for AI in Kenya: From Data Workers to Policy, has been awarded a South to South AI Accountability Microgrant from the Pulitzer Center!
About the Project
Fair Work for AI in Kenya is an initiative led by the Equiano Institute, a responsible AI research group in Africa, with team members Jonas Kgomo, Vanessa Gathecha, and Joel Christoph. The project will run in Nairobi, Kenya, from October 2025 to May 2026.
Why This Matters
Kenya is a global hub for AI data work, yet the experiences and perspectives of Kenyan data workers and students are often missing from policy discussions. Guidance for campuses and digital labor platforms remains fragmented, leaving many without a clear voice or support.
Our Goals
- Raise awareness and media literacy among data workers, student leaders, and civic groups on AI labor, privacy, and accountability. - Translate Pulitzer Center AI Accountability reporting into practical guidance for regulators and higher education stakeholders. - Amplify diverse voices to foster informed dialogue and influence institutional practices.
What We’ll Do
- Host two co-designed community workshops for approximately 80 data workers and student leaders. - Convene a multistakeholder roundtable with civil society, the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, campus leaders, and worker groups. - Create an open slide deck for student teach-outs across two campuses. - Publish a short policy brief with actionable recommendations for campuses and platforms. - Produce a short video recap and maintain an open resource page for ongoing access.
How We’ll Measure Impact
- Pre- and post-knowledge checks for participants - Attendance and diversity metrics - Tracking reuse and reach of the slide deck - Policy follow-ups at 30 and 90 days
Who Should Get Involved
Kenyan data workers, student leaders, civil society organizations, relevant regulators, and higher education stakeholders are all invited to participate and benefit from this project.
Journalism at the Core
This project is grounded in Pulitzer Center AI Accountability reporting, including investigations like the AGI hype recruitment playbook and the AI Colonialism series. These stories provide the evidence base and case studies for our workshops and policy brief.
Looking Ahead
We are committed to sustaining impact beyond the microgrant by: - Keeping the slide deck and resource page open and updated - Embedding the teach-out format in partner campuses - Continuing policy engagement with the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and civic partners
Stay tuned for updates, resources, and opportunities to get involved as we work together for fair and accountable AI in Kenya!