NAIROBI, Kenya, June 20 – Kenya will host the fourth Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in April 2027.
Government says the move places the country at the center of growing international efforts to develop rules and safeguards for the use of artificial intelligence in defense and security.
The summit comes as governments worldwide grapple with the rapid adoption of AI technologies in military operations, surveillance, intelligence gathering and autonomous systems, raising concerns over accountability, human oversight and the risks posed by increasingly sophisticated weapons systems.
“Kenya will host the 4th Responsible AI in the Military Domain (REAIM) Summit in Nairobi in April 2027,” President William Ruto’s Special Envoy on Technology Philip Thigo announced in Geneva during the AI, Security and Ethics Conference.
“The Summit will focus on practical implementation of responsible AI through capacity building, institutional readiness, international cooperation, and deeper engagement between governments, defence institutions, industry, academia and international organizations.”
The REAIM process was launched to help governments, military institutions, technology companies and researchers develop practical approaches to the responsible use of artificial intelligence in military settings.
Recent discussions have focused on maintaining human control over critical decisions, reducing the risks associated with autonomous systems and strengthening international cooperation on AI governance.
Kenya’s selection as host comes at a time when artificial intelligence is becoming a strategic priority for governments and defense agencies globally.
The technology is increasingly being deployed for intelligence analysis, logistics, cybersecurity and battlefield decision-making, even as policymakers debate how to regulate its use.
The summit is expected to bring together representatives from governments, defense institutions, technology firms and international organizations to discuss how countries can move from broad AI principles to practical implementation measures.
The event also highlights Kenya’s growing participation in international technology policy discussions.
Nairobi has in recent years emerged as a key venue for global conversations on digital governance, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence as African governments seek a stronger voice in shaping emerging technology frameworks.
However, experts note that significant differences remain among countries on how AI should be governed in military contexts, particularly around autonomous weapons systems and the extent of human oversight required in critical operations.
Those debates are expected to feature prominently when delegates meet in Nairobi in 2027 as nations continue to balance technological innovation with security, ethical and legal considerations.
