September 2025 – The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), has launched a groundbreaking report titled RIGHTS.AI: Children’s Experiences of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Kenya. The report seeks to answer an important question: how are Kenyan children using artificial intelligence, what challenges are they facing and what changes do they want to see?
Kenya, celebrated as Africa’s Silicon Savannah, recently ranked number one in the world for ChatGPT use, with more than 42 percent of internet users aged 16 and above accessing the platform in mid-2025. Children in Kenya are among the fastest adopters of AI, yet their perspectives have been missing from global conversations. This report changes that by putting children at the centre.
Drawing on interviews with children aged 13 to 17, the study shows that young people see AI as both useful and risky. They use it for homework, creative projects and even emotional support, but many worry that it is making them “lazy in thinking” or encouraging shortcuts instead of real learning. They also voiced deep frustration with how AI tools often misrepresent Africa, producing biased images and failing to recognise local languages such as Swahili or Teso. For many, this felt like a denial of their identity in digital spaces. At the same time, the children were clear about what they wanted. Children want a safe and child-friendly “kids’ mode” in AI apps, tools that explain concepts simply, stronger protections for their privacy and data and platforms that reflect African languages and cultures.
The children’s recommendations went even further. They called for Afrocentric AI built with locally curated data, and asked to be directly involved in shaping AI through youth councils or co-creation processes. For them, accountability should be shared by governments, technology companies, parents, educators and researchers to ensure AI is safe, transparent and empowering.
Speaking at the launch, Jennifer Kaberi, Co-author of the report and CEO of Mtoto News, said: “This is the first time Kenyan children have been asked about their experiences with AI. AI must be built with children, not just for them.”
The Kenya study is part of a global initiative led by the Digital Futures for Children centre at LSE, supported by the 5Rights Foundation, with similar reports being released in Brazil, India and Thailand. Together, these studies provide a unique, child-centred lens on the opportunities and risks of AI in the Global South.
👉 Read the full report here